Real Name - Akihisa Mera
Birthdate - 9/8/48
5’10” 240 lbs. - Noebaoka, Miyazaki, Japan
Athletic Background - n/a
Teacher(s) - [JWA Dojo]
Professional Background - JWA(`64-`69), Los Angeles(`70), Australia(`73), All Japan(`74-`77), Florida(`78), Amarillo(`79), Central States(`80), WCCW(`81-`85), Mid-South(`81), Georgia(`81), Mid-Atlantic(`83), All Japan(`85-`90), Memphis(`86), SWS(`90-`92), WAR(`92), New Japan(`93-`94), IWA(`95), Tokyo Pro(`96), IWA(`97-`98)
Aliases - Yoshino Sato, Akihisa Takachiho, Takachiho, Professor Takachiho, Mr. Sato, Mr. Hito, Rising Sun #1, Akio Moto, Hito Tojo, Kabuki
Groups - H&H Enterprises, Heisei Ishingun
Peak Years - `81-`85
Finisher(s) -
- Mist
Favorites -
- Superkick
- Nerve Hold
- Karate Chop
- Spinning Back Kick
- Chop
Ringwork Rating -
Move Set | 4 |
Science | 4 |
Aerial | 0 |
Power | 5 |
Strikes | 6 |
Intangibles Rating -
Entertainment | 7 |
Selling | 5 |
Bumping | 5 |
Carrying | 5 |
Heat | 8 |
Legacy | 5 |
Place in History - Akihisa Mera was a fifteen year veteran who was a good hand, but small and stocky. He never caught on due to his size and was eventually sent over the States for seasoning and that's what surprisingly made his career. After years of being an undercarder who got knocked around, Akihisa Takachiho was given the gimmick by Gary Hart and it made him. The elements were distinct and a departure from the pervasive Japanese heel persona in North America. Hart even billed him as being from Singapore to add some exoticism. He wore elaborate makeup, although his long black hair often covered his face, he brandished martial arts weapons, he spewed green mist and Hart had elaborate tales about his past. After months of TV build and the World Class promotion struggling, the Great Kabuki had a lot on his shoulders and he did what he had to do. The business picked up and he became a very successful star in the early 1980s. He was in high demand for years and so much so that Gary Hart began sending out the Magic Dragon in his place under the guise. After Dragon's marriage, Kabuki gave him the gift of doing a tour of South Africa for a big contract, sadly Dragon and his new bride were killed when their plane crashed. Kabuki returned to Japan and worked the gimmick for several years with some success. The Great Muta basically took over his role as a younger star and superior worker, but the Kabuki's tremendous success in the early 80s was enough to put him in the record books. While many aspects of the Kabuki act have been copied, he was certainly the most successful at it in the US under the guidance of Gary Hart and for several years was a top heel in the South.