Heisei Ishingun was a Japanese
professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar to the kind used in boxing, and the dramatic aspects of pro wrestling may be performed both in the ring o ...
stable
A stable is a building in which livestock, especially horses, are kept. It most commonly means a building that is divided into separate stalls for individual animals and livestock. There are many different types of stables in use today; the ...
led by
Shiro Koshinaka
is a Japanese professional wrestler who has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Wrestle Association "R" (WAR) during the 1980s and 1990s. He was also the first IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
Career ...
during the 1990s, primarily in
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
(NJPW) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion based in Nakano, Tokyo. Founded on January 13, 1972, by Antonio Inoki, the promotion was sold to Yuke's, who later sold it to Bushiroad in 2012. TV Asahi and Amuse, Inc. own minority shares ...
.
History
After an intense feud with each other early from 1988,
Shiro Koshinaka
is a Japanese professional wrestler who has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Wrestle Association "R" (WAR) during the 1980s and 1990s. He was also the first IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
Career ...
and
Kuniaki Kobayashi
Kuniaki Kobayashi (小林邦昭) (born January 11, 1956) is a retired Japanese Junior Heavyweight professional wrestler most notable for being the generational rival of the famous Tiger Mask character in Japanese pro wrestling. He wrestled numer ...
formed a tag team, and feuded with many other teams from 1988 to 1992. Between those rivalries, they feuded with
Masashi Aoyagi
was a Japanese professional wrestler and karateka. He worked for numerous Japanese promotions for Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling NOAH and many others.
Early life
Aoyagi was born in Kasuya District, Fuk ...
and
Akitoshi Saito
is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his work in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah).
Early life
Before pro wrestling, Akitoshi Saito was trained in karate by Masashi Aoyagi. Saito seconded Aoyagi i ...
who were karate fighters, to prove which sport was the best. After defeating them many times, Kobayashi, Koshinaka, Saito and Aoyagi formed a stable.
Kengo Kimura
is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, best known under the ring name and for his many years working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in Japan.
Professional wrestling career
Japan Wrestling Association (1972–1973)
Kimura made his pr ...
and the
Great Kabuki
, better known as , is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He is famous as the first to blow Asian mist in his opponents' faces.
Professional wrestling career
Mera was born on September 8, 1948 in Nobeoka, Japan. He started wrestling in 19 ...
from WAR soon joined the group. In 1993, they were initially called Han-Senshukai Dōmei (Anti-Wrestlers Alliance) referring to WAR and
Genichiro Tenryu
, better known as is a retired Japanese professional wrestler and professional wrestling promoter. At age 13, he entered sumo wrestling and stayed there for 13 years, after which he turned to Western-style professional wrestling. "Tenryu" was his ...
. After this feud was over, they changed their name to
Heisei
The is the period of Japanese history corresponding to the reign of Emperor Emeritus Akihito from 8 January 1989 until his abdication on 30 April 2019. The Heisei era started on 8 January 1989, the day after the death of the Emperor Hirohito, ...
Ishingun, after
Riki Choshu
, better known by his ring name , is a Japanese retired professional wrestler who is best known for his longtime work in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) as both a wrestler and a booker. He is considered one of Japan’s most influential wrestlers ...
's
Shōwa period
Shōwa may refer to:
* Hirohito (1901–1989), the 124th Emperor of Japan, known posthumously as Emperor Shōwa
* Showa Corporation, a Japanese suspension and shock manufacturer, affiliated with the Honda keiretsu
Japanese eras
* Jōwa (Heian ...
Ishin Gundan stable.
In 1993,
Michiyoshi Ohara
(born November 15, 1967) is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist, best known for his work in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he wrestled from 1990 to 2004, winning the IWGP Tag Team Championship with Tatsutoshi Got ...
and
Tatsutoshi Goto
is a Japanese professional wrestler. He competed primarily in WAR and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and briefly used the name "T2000 Machine". He also briefly competed in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as part of the nWo Japan.
Professio ...
joined the group and helped Koshinaka against main eventers. In 1994, Aoyagi left to return to
Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling
Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded on July 28, 1989, by Atsushi Onita as (FMW). The promotion specializes in hardcore wrestling involving weapons such as barbed wire and fire. They held their ...
. In 1996, after the
J-J-Jacks
Japanese Jolly Jacks , most commonly abbreviated to , was a Japanese professional wrestling tag team in New Japan Pro-Wrestling consisting of Akira Nogami and Takayuki/Takashi Iizuka.
History Pre J-J-Jacks (1986–1993)
Takayuki Iizuka was Akir ...
split up,
Akira Nogami
is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working as Akira (occasionally stylised in all-capitals). He has also worked as a trainer.
Professional wrestling career
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1984–2004)
After graduating from high s ...
joined, while Kabuki left. Kimura partially left in late 1996 to re-form his old team with
Tatsumi Fujinami
(born December 28, 1953) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to WWE on a legend's contract. Fujinami is most well known for his long tenure with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he was a six-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. ...
as well, but served as an associate until their dissolution. In 1997, Goto and Ohara briefly left for
nWo Japan
The New World Order (commonly abbreviated as nWo) is an American professional wrestling Glossary of professional wrestling terms#S, stable that originally consisted of Hulk Hogan, "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash.
The stable or ...
who were feuding with the Ishingun, however, both men didn't made any progress inside the unit and were kicked out by
Keiji Mutoh
is a Japanese professional wrestler and professional wrestling executive currently signed to Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah), where he is a former GHC Heavyweight Champion. He is best known for his work as in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and N ...
and
Masahiro Chono
is an American-born Japanese-American retired professional wrestler and actor best known for his 26 year stint with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). As the leader of nWo Japan, Team 2000 and Black New Japan, he was the promotion's top heel for ...
, and were accepted back by Koshinaka into the Ishingun. In 1998, Saito left the group and professional wrestling to focus on his bartending business, while
Genichiro Tenryu
, better known as is a retired Japanese professional wrestler and professional wrestling promoter. At age 13, he entered sumo wrestling and stayed there for 13 years, after which he turned to Western-style professional wrestling. "Tenryu" was his ...
joined in and took his place in the group. In mid-1999, Heisei Ishingun disbanded as Goto, Nogami and Ohara joined Masahiro Chono's
Team 2000
Team 2000 was a professional wrestling stable that competed in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Throughout its tenure, T2000 was New Japan's top heel stable.
History
Background
In August 1998, Masahiro Chono was leader of nWo Japan and won the IWGP H ...
. Koshinaka went back to being an NJPW loyalist, while Kobayashi and Kimura retired and Tenryu, a ''de facto'' free agent, continued supporting NJPW loyalists in their battles against Team 2000.
During their time as a group, Heisei Ishingun feuded with wrestlers from
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
(NJPW) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion based in Nakano, Tokyo. Founded on January 13, 1972, by Antonio Inoki, the promotion was sold to Yuke's, who later sold it to Bushiroad in 2012. TV Asahi and Amuse, Inc. own minority shares ...
,
WAR
War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular o ...
,
UWF International
Union of Professional Wrestling Force International, better known as UWF International, U-Inter, or simply UWFi, was a shoot style professional wrestling promotion in Japan from 1991 to 1996. The UWF international was the successor to the ''Newb ...
, and
nWo Japan
The New World Order (commonly abbreviated as nWo) is an American professional wrestling Glossary of professional wrestling terms#S, stable that originally consisted of Hulk Hogan, "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash.
The stable or ...
.
On February 8, 2017, Akira, Akitoshi Saito, The Great Kabuki, Masashi Aoyagi and Shiro Koshinaka made a one-night reunion as Heisei Ishingun under
Keiji Mutoh
is a Japanese professional wrestler and professional wrestling executive currently signed to Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah), where he is a former GHC Heavyweight Champion. He is best known for his work as in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and N ...
's Pro-Wrestling Masters banner.
The group once again had a one night reunion on October 1, 2017, when Akitoshi Saito and Shiro Koshinaka teamed with
Maybach Taniguchi
is a Japanese professional wrestler who has worked for Pro Wrestling Noah since his debut in December 2005. He is also known by the ring name , under which he portrays a villainous masked character.
Professional wrestling career
Amateur backg ...
to defeat
Mitsuya Nagai
, better known as , is a Japanese mixed martial artist, professional wrestler and former kickboxer. He is known for his work in Fighting Network RINGS and later in professional wrestling companies like Battlarts and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJ ...
, Tatsumi Fujinami and Leona at
Pro Wrestling Noah
(stylised as Pro Wrestling NOAH) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2000 by former All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) ace Mitsuharu Misawa after he had led a mass exodus in which 24 of AJPW's 26 contracted wrestlers left the ...
’s Great Voyage in Yokohama.
Heisei Ishingun members
*
Shiro Koshinaka
is a Japanese professional wrestler who has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Wrestle Association "R" (WAR) during the 1980s and 1990s. He was also the first IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
Career ...
(1992–1999) - leader
*
Kuniaki Kobayashi
Kuniaki Kobayashi (小林邦昭) (born January 11, 1956) is a retired Japanese Junior Heavyweight professional wrestler most notable for being the generational rival of the famous Tiger Mask character in Japanese pro wrestling. He wrestled numer ...
(1992–1999) - co-leader
*
Masashi Aoyagi
was a Japanese professional wrestler and karateka. He worked for numerous Japanese promotions for Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling NOAH and many others.
Early life
Aoyagi was born in Kasuya District, Fuk ...
(1992–1994)
*
Akitoshi Saito
is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his work in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah).
Early life
Before pro wrestling, Akitoshi Saito was trained in karate by Masashi Aoyagi. Saito seconded Aoyagi i ...
(1992–1998)
*
Kengo Kimura
is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, best known under the ring name and for his many years working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in Japan.
Professional wrestling career
Japan Wrestling Association (1972–1973)
Kimura made his pr ...
(1992–1999) - semi-associate after 1997
*
Great Kabuki
, better known as , is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He is famous as the first to blow Asian mist in his opponents' faces.
Professional wrestling career
Mera was born on September 8, 1948 in Nobeoka, Japan. He started wrestling in 19 ...
(1992–1996)
*
Michiyoshi Ohara
(born November 15, 1967) is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist, best known for his work in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he wrestled from 1990 to 2004, winning the IWGP Tag Team Championship with Tatsutoshi Got ...
(1993–1999)
*
Tatsutoshi Goto
is a Japanese professional wrestler. He competed primarily in WAR and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and briefly used the name "T2000 Machine". He also briefly competed in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as part of the nWo Japan.
Professio ...
(1993–1999)
*
Akira Nogami
is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working as Akira (occasionally stylised in all-capitals). He has also worked as a trainer.
Professional wrestling career
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1984–2004)
After graduating from high s ...
(1996–1999)
*
Genichiro Tenryu
, better known as is a retired Japanese professional wrestler and professional wrestling promoter. At age 13, he entered sumo wrestling and stayed there for 13 years, after which he turned to Western-style professional wrestling. "Tenryu" was his ...
(1998–1999)
Championships and accomplishments
*
WAR World Six-Man Tag Team Championship
The is a six-man tag team title contested for in the Japanese professional wrestling promotion Tenryu Project. The title was established in Wrestle Association R (WAR) in 1994.
There have been a total of twenty reigns shared among sixteen team ...
(Goto, Koshinaka & Ohara)
*One Night Tag Team Tournament Winner (1996) (Ohara & Nogami)
*
IWGP Tag Team Championship
The is a professional wrestling world tag team championship owned by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) promotion. "IWGP" is the acronym of the NJPW's governing body, the . The title was introduced on December 12, 1985 at an NJPW live event. The ...
(Koshinaka & Tenryu)
References
{{WAR World Six-Man Tag Team Championship
New Japan Pro-Wrestling teams and stables