MOTW 75: Osamu Nishimura vs. Yoshihiro Takayama

"M.O.T.W. #75: Osamu Nishimura vs. Yoshihiro Takayama" - ink & digital illustration

I'm back on the day of a potential cyclone for our latest in the regularly scheduled 'Match of the Week' illustration series & this week we've got another one that's a bit special to me.

This terrific Professional Wrestling match took place back on August 10th, 2002 as the semi final to that years' G1 Climax tournament, at Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall.

So we had another sad passing last week (far too young) of another of my favourites in 'Mr. Muga'; Osamu Nishimura. If I had to pick the one guy who really opened my eyes to the wonder of the proper 'classical style' of Pro Wrestling, it was Nishimura-San. He was just an incredible throwback wrestler who had such a knack for doing the little things flawlessly & sucking you into a match through wonderful subtleties. His love for the craft & rich history of this thing we love was clear for all to see.

So of course I ended up going down a Nish rabbit-hole. This match is such a great testament to the above - against another of my favourites in the Everest German Emperor; Takayama! It's just the best clash of interesting contrasting styles that you ever did see. Such a great 'David vs. Goliath' story (if David was one of the greatest mat technicians of all time). The crowd gets behind Nishimura in just the best of ways & the absolutely awesome Takayama really shows off so much of what made him so special too.

This is also great because for me it's another example of the supposed 'dark days' of early 2000s NJPW & Inokiism actually being so much better than their later, more internationally acclaimed stuff (for my tastes at least).

Just amazing stuff, please give it a watch & be sure to give it the patience & full attention to detail that it deserves.

R.I.P. Nishimura-San. I'll never forget how much you made me love wrestling. Getting to meet you a few years back was easily the coolest, nicest 'meeting one of your favourite wrestlers' interaction that I've ever had!

Artists' Note: I returned to the slightly rougher, recycled paper stock for this one, hence it's slightly rougher look. I think bit more 'raw' look kind of works for the moment & the emotion of it all. I really enjoyed drawing Takayama in this one & his interesting features. Also, no way I could miss out on including Tiger Hattori in there!!

ENJOY!

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