Pachinko Man

“This biography of Rikidozan is an important and long overdue contribution to the study of Japanese pop culture and North Korean diaspora, and Irvin Muchnick is just the author to bring this amazing story to life.” — Adam Johnson, winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for the novel The Orphan Master’s Son and the National Book Award for the 2015 story collection Fortune Smiles
“An impressive, knowing biography of an iconic, legendary ring figure in Japan and Korea, and a primer on the world of professional wrestling at the same time — densely researched, rich in detail, brimming with fascinating facts, memorable tidbits, and insights.” — Robert Whiting, author of The Chrysanthemum and the Bat and You Gotta Have Wa
“In many ways, Rikidozan was the most influential pro wrestler in history. He was the architect and biggest star of Japanese wrestling, which in his day was more culturally significant than pro wrestling has ever been anywhere in the world. He was a national hero in both Japan and North Korea — to an extent that, unless you understand those cultures and that time, is simply unfathomable. And his handpicked proteges became the most famous pro wrestlers in Japan and South Korea of the ’70s and ’80s. Irv Muchnick explains the rise of the Rikidozan phenomenon, through the double-crosses, mob ties, legendary television events and its most violent and real conclusion. If you are a fan of Japanese or Korean culture, or pro wrestling history, this book is a must-read.” — Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer

Irvin Muchnick, the late sportswriting great Frank Deford said, “writes with passion and savage humor” and “produces magnificent investigative journalism.” Muchnick’s previous books on pro wrestling include Wrestling Babylon and Chris & Nancy (now in its third edition). Reporting for Muchnick’s most recent book, Underwater, spurred government and sports governance investigations into sexual abuse in swimming in four countries. A native of St. Louis, he lives in Berkeley, California.

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