Wayfarer in a Foreign Land

The first Japanese professional wrestler in the United States



In late 1883, Kojiro Matsuda, a former Sumo wrestler named Torakichi, traveled to the United States to learn professional wrestling. After two high profile matches with Evan "Strangler" Lewis, fans made Sorakichi Matsuda one of the first fan favorites in professional wrestling.



Matsuda never achieved his dream of bring professional wrestling back to Japan. Matsuda caught "consumption", a death sentence in the 19th Century.



Learn the true history of this groundbreaking wrestler.