Kikutaro

Mitsunobu Kikuzawa (菊澤 光信, Kikuzawa Mitsunobu) (born November 17, 1976), better known as his wrestling persona Kikutaro (菊タロー, Kikutarō) and formerly Ebessan (えべっさん, Ebessan), is a freelance Japanese professional wrestler. Though best known for wrestling under a mask, he also regularly works unmasked under the ring name Kikuzawa (stylized in all capital letters), representing Tokyo Gurentai. Kikuzawa has also made appearances in North America, competing in promotions such as Chikara, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) and Ring of Honor (ROH).

Kikutaro
Born (1976-11-17) November 17, 1976
Osaka, Japan
ResidenceLas Vegas, Nevada
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Bret KikuHart
Dump Kiku
Ebedullah the Butcher
Ebessan
Ebestan Hansen
Ebetaro
Jumbo Kiku
Jyushin Thunder Ebesga
Keiji Ebitoh
Kiku-Kiku-Kiku
Kiku Angle
Kiku Flair
Kiku H
Kiku-san Hansen[1]
Kiku Hiroshi
Kikutaro
Kikutasu Jack
Kikutimate Warrior[2]
Kikuzawa
Killer Kiku
Mitsunobu Kikuzawa
Teriyaki Boy
Momochi Sandayū[3]
Teriyakitaro
Kodo Fuyukiku
Billed height1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Billed weight111 kg (245 lb)
Trained byMasanobu Kurisu
DebutMay 14, 1994

Career

Kikuzawa started his wrestling career in 1994, wrestling under his birth name for Japanese hardcore wrestling promotions including FMW and W*ING, he eventually signed with Osaka Pro Wrestling and Dramatic Dream Team (DDT), where he continued to use his real name while competing for DDT.

While wrestling for Osaka Pro, he began wearing a mask as a character named Ebessan based on Ebisu, the Japanese god of good fortune. Using comedic spots to get over with the crowd, Ebessan was immediately accepted by the Osaka Pro crowd. He moved up the ranks quickly and soon made Osaka Pro his full-time home in 2001. Ebessan became particularly well known for his rivalry with Kuishinbo Kamen, the two having many fun and comedic matches. They even worked as a tag team from time to time.

As Ebessan was OPW's registered trademark, Kikuzawa was forced to give away his Ebessan character to another wrestler before leaving the company in 2005. Kikuzawa modified his character and used the name Ebetaro, but he would end up settling down for a new, original gimmick. He became Kikutaro, a masked, exaggerated self-parodic alter ego who behaved both goofy and self-important, wearing always colored tracksuits and baseball caps. He kept most of his comedic spots and impersonations, however, as well as his feud with Kuishinbo Kamen, adding now the new Ebessan to the enmity.

In 2006, he began competing for All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he continued to work through the years. He often wrestled in the opening match, but also offered himself as an ally to Keiji Mutoh in his feud against Voodoo Murders and other factions.

In December 2016, Kikutaro moved from Japan to the United States. He currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Tributes

Kikuzawa has been known to do tributes to many wrestlers throughout his career, either through subtle imitations or by doing full imitations of their gimmick. He typically includes a tribute to Keiji Mutoh in his matches by performing Mutoh's signature elbow drop and Shining Wizard, as well as using Mutoh's "love" pose. Kikuzawa has also done many tributes to wrestlers in "borrowing" their gimmicks by dressing in similar attire and performing their signature moves. Kikuzawa has famously imitated Stan Hansen, Abdullah the Butcher, Jyushin Thunder Liger, Keiji Mutoh, Triple H, Bret Hart, Cactus Jack, Bill Goldberg, Kurt Angle, Ric Flair and Yuji Nagata.

Championships and accomplishments
  • Compound Pro Wrestling
  • Oklahoma X Division Championship (1 time)[4]
  • Barbed Wire Street Fight Six Man Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Atsushi Onita and Okumura (1), and Atsushi Onita and Exciting Yoshida (1)
  • Mobius
  • El Mejor de Máscara Championship (1 time)
  • NGF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • PWI ranked him #185 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2006[5]
  • Ultimate Superstars Action
  • USA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Hulk Puchihogan[2]

References
  1. 東京愚連隊興行　4･4新宿Face大会　【東京世界ヘビー級】望月成晃vs田中稔　ドリー・ファンクJr＆藤原喜明＆高木三四郎＆真田聖也vsNosawa＆Mazada＆Fujita＆Kikuzawa. Battle News (in Japanese). 2016-04-05. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  2. "U・S・A～Ultimate Superstars Action～Stargate2013". Dramatic Dream Team (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2013-05-26. Retrieved 2013-03-28.
  3. "魔界が新章「魔界呪恋歌」編に突入！生きていた鶴姫！武吉の娘を連れ去った純友と藤太！夕顔の窮地を救ったのは…". Battle News (in Japanese). 2016-01-16. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
  4. "ComPro Oklahoma X Division Championship". cagematch.net. Retrieved 2017-09-24.
  5. "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2006". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2017-09-08.
  6. 東京愚連隊12.1後楽園大会　Nosawa20周年記念／マスカラス＆ドリー＆カブキ＆船木vs.論外＆藤原＆Cima＆カズ、Mazadavs.望月の東京世界ヘビー級戦. Battle News (in Japanese). 2015-12-01. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
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