Dakko Chan

[q_t_r_n]

Does anyone know what this guy's gimmick is? His mask looks suspicously like a golliwog/blackface.

Is there a racist streak in Japanese wrestling?

[Muiyan]

As far as i know, I read elsewhere before that it ain't a racist gimmick. It's some obscure reference to SOMETHING but i'm sure it's not a caricature of a black man! Plus, men of ANY race doesn't have Mickey Mouse ears!

[The Franceman]

It's a panda gimmick and it was Jodie Fleisch under the mask.

[El Fiasco]

The mask is downright hilarious.

[q_t_r_n]

Thanks.

[KAZUhiro Jyo]

From what I researched, Dakko-chan was originally a popular toy of Takara. http://www.takaratoys.co.jp/dakko/index.html
BTW, in CZW's Best of the Best 2 video, there was a fan wearing the mask when Jody Fleisch was making his appearance for the 2nd round of the tournament. While appealing to the crowd on his entrance, he instantly spotted the Dakko-chan mask and asked the fan who was wearing the mask to let him wear it.
Anyways, I marked out for that.

[Dr Feelgood]

From what I know, the Dakko Chan doll originated in the 50s.
It was supposed to portray a black face, but I'd very much doubt whether it was meant to have any racist overtones, since Osamu Tezuka drew figures like that at the time and he can hardly be accused of racism. If that were an issue, I don't bel;ive that Jodie would wear the mask anyway.

During the King of England tournament, there was also someone in the front rows wearing a Dakko Chan mask.
Does anyone know where and how you can get one?

[ChrisAwesome]

I think Highspots may have one in stock.

[Dr Feelgood]

Maldito! It's out of stock!

[KAZUhiro Jyo]

Sorry for my ignorance on the British wrestling scene, but what's
the "King of England" tournament? Is it England's version of the Super J Cup/Best of the Super Jr. tournaments or something like CZW's Best of the Best tournament?
Also, I didn't know that HighSpots had Dakko-chan masks for sell. (I know that they sold out of Curry Man masks.)

[Dr Feelgood]

I'd have to ask a few english mates for the proper details, as I'm not all that solid on the UK scene, either.
As far as I know, the King of England is a tournament which has been organised for years on a small scale (by TWA, I think, not sure). On 3/3/2002, though, it took a whole different turn: it was promoted by Tommy Boyd, staged in London's Crystal Palace and shown on cable. The show, dubbed "UK Revival", featured workers from different english promotions (mainly FWA), as well as foreign workers (Ulf Hermann, Brian Christopher and Eddie Guerrero) and its centrepiece was an 8-man tournament to designate the King of England.
The participants were Jodie Fleisch, Jonny Storm, Drew McDonald, Robbie Brookside, Flash Barker, Doug Williams, Scott Parker and Eddie Guerrero.
Jodie captured the title and received his belt from the hands of Tom Billington himself. All in all, it was a very good show, and I recommend it for anyone interested in or wanting to discover today's english wrestling.

Highspots have one type of Curry Man mask still available!