According to reports coming out of Japan, Kendo Nagasaki (real name Kazuo Sakurada) passed away on Saturday at the age of 71. Nagasaki’s pacemaker reportedly stopped and that led to him going into cardiac arrest.
Nagasaki started his wrestling career in 1971 and he worked all over the world including Stampede Wrestling, FMW, Big Japan, CWA and the NWA throughout the 70s and 80s.
Nagasaki was a mysterious character who wore facepaint while carrying a sword. He also sprayed mist in the eyes of his opponents. He also had a stint in WCW as The Dragon Master in Gary Har’s J-Tex Corporation for feuds with The Great Muta and Buzz Sawyer and The Four Horsemen.
He returned to Japan in 1990 and wrestled until the end of his full-time career into 2001.
We send our condolences to Nagasaki’s friends and family.
