According to the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters, a book of legends from the year 712, which is the oldest extant example of Japanese writing), Takemikazuchi defeats Takeminakata in a grappling match on the shores of Izumo
(today's Shimane Prefecture) for the control over the Izumo territory.
The Emperor (an all emperors) claim lineage from this famous grappler.
According to the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan, a book from the year 720), Emperor Suinin (r. 29BC - AD70) is said to have made a special request for Nomi-no Sukunem to fight Taima-no Kehaya.
The two grappled until Sukune finally does kicks to Kehaya's ribs, and Kehaya is mortally wounded.
Sukune, the winner, has been immortalized ever since as the "father of sumo." But Japanese Wrestling, although using techniques from Jujitsu and Sumo, developed as a result of other influences also.
The most important dates in the development of Japanese Wrestling (today knows as Puroresu and Pancrase) are listed below.
( Remember, this style is different from classical Ju-Jitsu or Sumo) 1883 Sorakichi Matsuda, a rikishi, goes to the United States and becomes the first Japanese pro-wrestler.
Shokichi Hamada, known as Sangokuyama in sumo, also leaves for the U.S. to become a pro-wrestler.
01/14/1884 At Irving Hall in New York, Matsuda has his first match as a catch-as-catch-can style wrestler, losing two out of three falls to Edwin Bibby only in 32 seconds in the first fall and 2'19" in the second fall.
06/01/1887 Hamada brings 20 American wrestlers for the cards in Tokyo.
It is sold out only on the first day justbecause it is something people have never seen. The first attempt of pro-wrestling in Japan fails.
1928 Taro Miyake, who has become a wrestler in the U.S., comes back to Japan and tours with three other
wrestlers.
However, pro-wrestling fails to sell tickets in Japan.1929 Hikoo Shoji, who has been to the U.S. with Ad Santel, comes back to Japan and announces the entrance of the Japanese judo into the US. In exchange, the amateur wrestling starts in Japan with a help of Ichiro Yada.
1932 Shoji wrestles for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
1939 Shoji, Kiyoshi Kato, and other judokas found the Japan Pro-Wrestling Alliance. They promote in the places such as the reclaimed lands. The promotion is unsuccessful, however.
1951 Rikidozan joins with pro-judokas Masahiko Kimura, Toshio Yamaguchi, and Koukichi Endo in announcing their desire to become professional wrestlers. They begin training at the Shriner's Club.
1953 Rikidozan founds Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance.
He has actually founded the Japan Pro Wrestling Promotiona short time earlier but this was the official ceremony establishing Japan's first full time pro-wrestling organization. Shinsaku Nitta was chosen as the president of the Promotion, and Tadamasa Sakai as the chairmanof the Alliance.
1959 A puroresu gym/dojo "Puroresu Center" opens in Naniwa-cho, Tokyo.
1993 Masakatsu Funaki, Minoru Suzuki, and other wrestlers who left Fujiwaragumi form Pancrase and have their first cardat Tokyo Bay NK Hall.
1994 Wayne Shamrock becomes the first King of Pancrase, defeating Funaki in semi-final and Manabu Yamada in final.
