| Kikutaro | |
|---|---|
| Ring name(s) | Mitsunobu Kikuzawa Ebessan Keiji Ebitoh Jyushin Thunder Ebesga Kikutasu Jack Ebestan Hansen Ebetaro Ebetaroh Kikutaro Kiku-Kiku-Kiku Kikustan Hansen Kiku Flair Kiku H Kiku Angle Killer Kiku Jumbo Kiku Ebedullah the Butcher Teriyakitaro/Teriyaki Boy Dump Kiku Bret KikuHart |
| Billed height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Billed weight | 111 kg (240 lb) |
| Born | January 10, 1977 Unknown |
| Resides | Japan |
| Debut | May 14, 1994 |
Mitsunobu Kikuzawa (菊澤 光信 Kikuzawa Mitsunobu), better known by his wrestling persona Kikutaro (菊タロー Kikutarō) and formerly Ebessan, is a freelance Japanese professional wrestler primarily competing for Kensuke Office and Osaka Pro Wrestling. Kikuzawa has also made appearances in North America, competing in promotions such as Ring of Honor and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.
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Kikuzawa started his wrestling career in 1994, wrestling under his birth name for Japanese hardcore wrestling promotions including FMW and W*ING. He was only a jobber and never made much of a name for himself at this stage in his career. Kikuzawa eventually signed with Osaka Pro Wrestling and Dramatic Dream Team (DDT), where he continued to use his real name while competing for DDT, but began wearing a mask while wrestling for Osaka Pro as a character named Ebessan (based on Ebisu, the Japanese god of good fortune); using comedic spots to get over with the crowd, Kikuzawa was immediately accepted by the Osaka Pro crowd. Moving up the ranks quickly in the comedic promotion, he soon made Osaka Pro his full-time home in 2001. He became well known for his rivalry with Kuishinbo Kamen, the two having many fun and comedic matches. They even worked as a tag team from time to time.
In 2006, he began competing for All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he continues to work primarily to this day. He often wrestles in the opening match, but occasionally teams with Keiji Mutoh.
In 2009, he gave away his Ebessan character to a regular Osaka Pro wrestler. He now competes freelance as his sole character, Kikutaro.
Kikuzawa has been known to do tributes to many wrestlers throughout his career, either through subtle imitations or by doing full imitations of their gimmick. He typically includes a tribute to Keiji Mutoh in his matches by performing Mutoh's signature elbow drop and Shining Wizard, as well as using Mutoh's "love" pose. Kikuzawa has also done many tributes to wrestlers in "borrowing" their gimmicks by dressing in similar attire and performing their signature moves. Kikuzawa has famously imitated Stan Hansen, Abdullah the Butcher, Jushin "Thunder" Liger, Keiji Mutoh, Triple H, Bret Hart, Cactus Jack, Bill Goldberg, Kurt Angle, Ric Flair and Yuji Nagata.