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Jinsei Shinzaki
Jinsei Shinzaki
Jinsei Shinzaki
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Kensuke Shinzaki (新崎 健介 Shinzaki Kensuke, born December 2, 1966) is a Japanese professional wrestler and professional wrestling executive, better known by his ring name, Jinsei Shinzaki (新崎 人生 Shinzaki Jinsei). He is signed to the Michinoku Pro Wrestling promotion where he is the promotion's president. He also performs for Michinoku Pro as a wrestler, serving as the sole heavyweight wrestler on the roster. Shinzaki is also known for his appearances with other Japanese promotions such as All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW). To American fans, Shinzaki is perhaps most known for his stint in the United States–based World Wrestling Federation (WWF) from 1994 to 1996 under the ring name Hakushi (白紙).[1][3]

Key Information

Professional wrestling career

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Universal Lucha Libre (1992–1993)

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A former soccer player, Shinzaki trained in amateur wrestling in high school. He first worked as an actor, but he left for professional wrestling after meeting Gran Hamada. Shinzaki trained in the Mexican style of lucha libre before debuting in Hamada's promotion Universal Lucha Libre in 1992, wrestling under a mask and the name of Mongolian Yuga.

Michinoku Pro Wrestling (1993–1994)

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In 1993, Shinzaki followed The Great Sasuke to his promotion Michinoku Pro Wrestling, becoming one of its founders. In June 1993, Kensuke unmasked and changed his gimmick, re-debuting as Jinsei Shinzaki ("Jinsei" meaning "life" in Japanese), an aruki henro or Shikoku pilgrim. Under this persona, Shinzaki wrestled in a slow, meditative style, and constantly performed prayers in the ring before every movement. He also came to the arenas in full pilgrimage garments, including white robes and suge-kasa hat, and carried a shakujo staff and a kongo-zue. Jinsei debuted as a silent heel, being introduced by Mr. Yamaguchi as a special member of Super Delfín's heel unit in order to curse The Great Sasuke with his prayers. However, after disagreements with them, Shinzaki turned face in 1994 and joined Sasuke and his allies.

In May 1994, Shinzaki wrestled on a World Wrestling Federation tour of Japan. This led to him being offered a contract with the promotion later that year. The promotion was looking for a Japanese wrestler for the roster; Hayabusa had rejected an offer, choosing to work for Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling instead, and Shinzaki was given the Japanese wrestler spot.[4][5]

World Wrestling Federation (1994–1996)

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Shinzaki in 1995, as Hakushi

In November 1994, Shinzaki traveled to the United States to wrestle for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He wrestled as Hakushi (白使, "White Angel"), a derivation of his Michinoku Pro Wrestling persona.[2] This new character resembled Jinsei Shinzaki, but he was characterized by sporting Buddhist shakyo written all over his skin, in a reference to Japanese folk character Hoichi the Earless. He was also accompanied by a facepaint-wearing cultist named Shinja. Initially a heel, his first few matches were highlighted by victories over jobbers which included future star Matt Hardy and midcarders like Aldo Montoya, and 1-2-3 Kid.[6] Hakushi brought the wrestling style of lucharesu to the company, utilizing many aerial maneuvers, and stood out for using many of them to finish his matches as opposed to a single, established finishing move.

Hakushi had a brief alliance with ninja wrestler Kwang, calling themselves collectively "Shogun".[3] After losing a tag team match, Hakushi blamed Kwang and turned on him. Hakushi subsequently defeated Kwang, in the Shogun team’s breakup and blow-off match. This also happened to be the Kwang’s last appearance. Hakushi then feuded with former WWF Champion Bret Hart, wrestling a number of competitive matches against him.[6] He also participated in a three-way feud with perennial jobber Barry Horowitz and Bodydonna Skip. Horowitz, who lost for years on WWF programming to get over new talent, surprisingly used his three-quarter nelson to secure a victory over Skip.[6] Hakushi would also fall to Horowitz soon after because of interference from Skip. His loss was a surprise to the fans, not only given Horowitz's long time losing record, but also given how well Hakushi did during his feud with Bret Hart in what had been Hakushi's first major feud in the company. Hakushi and Horowitz would briefly form a tag team, leading to a face turn for Hakushi. In Survivor Series, Hakushi was a member of The Underdogs team, but was eliminated after a kick from his enemy 1-2-3 Kid. He also was a competitor in the 1996 Royal Rumble, where he was eliminated by Bret Hart's brother, Owen Hart.

During a match on Raw against Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw on the March 6 episode (taped February 19), Hakushi was hit by Bradshaw's branding iron after a loss.[6] That week on WWF Superstars, commentator Jim Ross reported that he had been so humiliated by the branding that he (kayfabe) left the WWF.[1][6]

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1996-1997)

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Upon leaving his stint in WWF, Shinzaki returned to Japan. He made a single night appearance with New Japan Pro-Wrestling at "Battle Formation" on April 29, 1996, where he wrestled The Great Muta. Shinzaki was introduced as a mystic, supernatural character very much like Muta, who embodied evil while Shinzaki embodied good. Shinzaki was defeated in a spirited but mostly one-sided brawl. One year later on January 4's Wrestling World In Tokyo Dome 1997, he faced and defeated Heisei Ishingun member Michiyoshi Ohara, who was spoofing his gimmick and mimicked everything Shinzaki did.[7]

Return to Michinoku Pro (1996–2000)

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Shinzaki as Michinoku Pro's chairman in 2010

Shinzaki returned to Michinoku Pro Wrestling in October 1996 at the Michinoku Pro 3rd Anniversary event, defeating Hayabusa. Once again aligning himself with The Great Sasuke, Shinzaki was undefeated in singles matches until 1997.

In October 1997, the Hakushi character was brought up to go against WWF's "Dead Man" The Undertaker. Hakushi was now an undead as well due to having been "killed" in his match with Muta, and was introduced in a coffin by an entourage of Japanese traditional pallbearers, showing in his clothes the same blood stains he had got in said match. He faced Undertaker, but was defeated after a Tombstone Piledriver and entombed in the mountains of Tohoku.[4]

Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (1997–1998)

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In mid-1997, Shinzaki started appearing in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling helping Hayabusa in his battles against Mr. Gannosuke. They also had a brief stint in Extreme Championship Wrestling competing against Rob Van Dam and Sabu.

All Japan Pro Wrestling (1998–2002)

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Shinzaki and Hayabusa competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling's Real Tag League 1998. In January 1999, they won the All Asia Tag Team Championship from Jun Izumida and Tamon Honda. They retained it until June 1999, when they lost it to Takao Omori and Yoshihiro Takayama. Shinzaki then kept a feud against Mitsuharu Misawa's Untouchables faction, but his appearances in AJPW became more sparse until ceasing in favour of Michinoku Pro in 2002.

In 2001, still as an AJPW representative, Shinzaki made a surprise appearance in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, wearing a white mask and causing Kazunari Murakami's defeat to Keiji Mutoh. Jinsei then unmasked, and Mutoh introduced him as the new member of his personal faction Bad Ass Translate Trading.

Second return to Michinoku Pro (since 2002)

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Shinzaki has been the president of Michinoku Pro Wrestling company since 2003 as a result of Sasuke dedicating more of his time to his political career as a member of the Iwate Prefectural (state) Assembly.

Shinzaki is also the co-founder of the joshi promotion Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling along with joshi wrestler Meiko Satomura.

On April 15, 2011, Shinzaki returned to the United States to wrestle for Chikara in the 2011 King of Trios tournament, where he would represent Michinoku Pro with Dick Togo and the Great Sasuke. In their first round match Team Michinoku Pro defeated Team Minnesota (1-2-3 Kid, Arik Cannon and Darin Corbin).[8] The following day, Team Michinoku Pro defeated Jigsaw, Manami Toyota and Mike Quackenbush to advance to the semifinals of the tournament.[9] On April 17, Team Michinoku Pro was eliminated from the tournament in the semifinal stage by F.I.S.T. (Chuck Taylor, Icarus and Johnny Gargano).[10]

Personal life

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Following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Shinzaki helped victims in the Tōhoku region by travelling around and providing them with food and drinks. Initial reports falsely noted that Shinzaki himself was living in his car due to losing his home and restaurant. However, this was incorrect as he was really just spending a lot of time traveling to help the needy.[11]

Championships and accomplishments

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  • Ranked No. 48 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1995[16]
  • Ranked No. 209 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003[17]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jinsei Shinzaki

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jinsei Shinzaki (新崎 人生, Shinzaki Jinsei), whose real name is Kensuke Shinzaki (新崎 健介), is a Japanese professional wrestler, promoter, and trainer best known for his distinctive career spanning over three decades, including a notable stint in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the ring name from 1994 to 1996. Born on December 2, 1966, in , Shinzaki stands at 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall and weighs 238 pounds (108 kg), employing a technical wrestling style often highlighted by his aerial maneuvers and signature moves such as the Praying and Diving . He made his professional wrestling debut on November 19, 1992, initially competing in Japanese promotions before gaining international attention. Shinzaki's career highlights include his time in the WWF, where he portrayed the enigmatic character Hakushi—"The White Angel" or "White Death"—debuting with a victory over a young on Raw in January 1995 and engaging in high-profile feuds, such as with , showcasing his unique blend of mysticism and athleticism that earned praise from peers like as one of the greatest Japanese wrestlers. Following his WWF run, he competed in promotions like (ECW), where he teamed with in a memorable 1998 Heat Wave title challenge against , and (AJPW), partnering with to win the in 1999. As a key figure in (MPW), which he co-founded in 1993 and has promoted since 2003, Shinzaki has secured multiple titles, including five Tohoku Tag Team Championships and a UWA World Tag Team Championship with in 2021, while also earning accolades like the 1993 Tokyo Sports Newcomer Award for his early contributions to . Today, at age 58, he remains active as both a wrestler and executive in MPW, embodying resilience in the industry through his ongoing performances and training roles.

Professional wrestling career

Early training and debut (1992–1993)

Prior to entering , Jinsei Shinzaki worked as an , having previously pursued soccer and during high school. His transition to wrestling began after meeting , a veteran luchador who inspired him to train in the Mexican style of starting in 1992. Under Hamada's guidance, Shinzaki honed his skills in high-flying maneuvers and the fast-paced routines characteristic of , adapting from his acting background to the physical demands of masked wrestling personas. He made his professional debut on November 19, 1992, in Hamada's Universal Lucha Libre promotion, competing as the masked character Mongolian Yuga, portraying a fierce Mongolian . As Mongolian Yuga, Shinzaki quickly engaged in singles and bouts within Universal Lucha Libre, emphasizing aerial techniques such as the Asai Moonsault and Diving Headbutt alongside power-based moves like the . One of his early matches saw him defeat Terry Boy in a singles contest lasting over seven minutes, showcasing his adaptation to the promotion's emphasis on athleticism and storytelling through masks. These initial experiences helped develop his persona as an agile, intimidating competitor, laying the foundation for his growth in the -influenced Japanese scene.

Michinoku Pro Wrestling foundation and early years (1993–1994)

In 1993, Jinsei Shinzaki co-founded alongside , establishing the promotion as a regional independent entity in Japan's Tohoku area following Sasuke's split from Universal Lucha Libre. The organization aimed to revive in the northeastern region, drawing on influences from Shinzaki's prior training in to emphasize high-flying, acrobatic techniques blended with traditions. Shinzaki made his debut for the promotion on June 11, 1993, under his new and adopting a distinctive pilgrim persona characterized by white face paint, flowing robes, and a ritualistic "praying walk" entrance that symbolized spiritual enlightenment through wrestling. This gimmick quickly captivated audiences, positioning him as a mystical figure amid a roster dominated by lighter juniors, and allowed him to showcase technical prowess in early bouts against talents like Super Delfin and Gran Naniwa. During the promotion's formative period, Shinzaki engaged in key early feuds that helped build its identity, most notably a high-profile rivalry with co-founder in 1994, highlighted by intense singles matches that showcased the promotion's dynamic style. In one pivotal storyline, Shinzaki turned face following a betrayal by stablemates, solidifying his role as a heroic pillar and elevating crowd engagement in Tohoku venues. Concurrently, the promotion focused on roster expansion by recruiting young wrestlers from Universal , such as and SATO, alongside freelance luchadors, to foster a homegrown talent pool tailored to the region's community-based events. This approach not only promoted the unique Tohoku wrestling aesthetic—fast-paced, innovative, and culturally resonant—but also laid the groundwork for Michinoku Pro's endurance as an independent powerhouse.

World Wrestling Federation (1994–1996)

In late 1994, Jinsei Shinzaki signed a contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and debuted in the United States under the Hakushi, portraying a painted-face, mystical character inspired by his earlier Buddhist pilgrim from . Accompanied by manager Shinja—a white-faced cultist figure played by veteran wrestler Akio Sato—Hakushi's featured his body covered in shakyo (Buddhist prayer script) and an all-white ceremonial robe, emphasizing a silent, enigmatic that blended spiritual mysticism with aggressive in-ring aggression. His first televised match as Hakushi occurred on the November 30, 1994, episode of , where he competed in a count-out victory, marking the start of his adaptation to the American wrestling landscape. Hakushi's most prominent feud developed with Bret Hart, beginning in early 1995 when he attacked the WWF Champion after Hart received an award, with the storyline accusing Hart of racial insensitivity toward Japanese wrestlers. This rivalry, which spanned over 20 matches, showcased Hakushi's technical prowess and highlighted his role in elevating undercard bouts, culminating in a critically acclaimed opener at the inaugural In Your House pay-per-view on May 14, 1995, where Hart defeated him via submission. Additional interactions included a brief tag team experiment with Kwang that dissolved quickly, a surprising upset loss to enhancement talent Barry Horowitz on the June 26, 1995, episode of WWF Superstars—ending Horowitz's long losing streak—and a heated exchange with Aldo Montoya, stemming from territorial disputes over ring positioning. At SummerSlam 1995, Hakushi secured a notable victory over The 1-2-3 Kid, demonstrating his aerial capabilities in a fast-paced encounter. During his WWF tenure, Hakushi adapted his Japanese strong-style wrestling to the promotion's format, incorporating submission holds, strikes, and high-flying maneuvers to appeal to American audiences. His signature move, the Praying Mantis Bomb—a sitout scoop slam piledriver—became a highlight, often used to finish opponents with dramatic flair, reflecting his lucharesu influences while fitting the monk gimmick. By early 1996, however, Hakushi's push diminished amid the WWF's shifting roster dynamics; following a loss to Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw on the February 19, 1996, taping for Raw, he was attacked with a in storyline fashion, leading to an on-air announcement of his departure from the promotion that month due to contract expiration and a desire to return to .

Excursions to New Japan and FMW (1996–1998)

Following his departure from the World Wrestling Federation in early 1996, Jinsei Shinzaki ventured into New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) as a freelancer, marking a brief but memorable excursion into the promotion's strong style environment. On April 29, 1996, at NJPW's Battle Formation event held at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Shinzaki competed in a high-profile singles match against The Great Muta, portraying his mystic Hakushi persona against Muta's demonic archetype. The bout, lasting approximately 13 minutes, featured intense striking exchanges and theatrical elements, with Shinzaki suffering a notable facial injury from blading early in the contest, culminating in Muta's victory via Shining Wizard. This appearance highlighted Shinzaki's adaptability to NJPW's emphasis on realistic, hard-hitting wrestling, contrasting his prior mystical style in other promotions. Shinzaki returned to NJPW in 1997 for another limited stint, further showcasing his versatility amid his ongoing commitments elsewhere. On January 4, 1997, at the Wrestling World 1997 event in the , he defeated midcard mainstay Michiyoshi Ohara in a 9-minute singles , where Ohara parodied Shinzaki's Hakushi by mimicking his mannerisms and attire. This victory, achieved via Shinzaki's signature Nenbutsu , underscored his technical prowess and drew strong fan reactions for the comedic yet competitive dynamic. While no formal opportunities materialized during this period, Shinzaki's performances opened doors for potential alliances within NJPW's roster, aligning with his freelance status that allowed selective bookings. Transitioning to Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) from late 1997 into 1998, Shinzaki embraced the promotion's hardcore ethos through key outings alongside , forming a dynamic duo rooted in aerial and striking offense. On December 19, 1997, at FMW's Super Extreme Wrestling War, Shinzaki and challenged for the FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship against defending champions Mr. Gannosuke and Yukihiro Kanemura, losing after 17 minutes when Kanemura pinned following a . Their partnership peaked three days later on December 22, 1997, in a brutal cage match at the same tour's finale, where Shinzaki, , and Masato Tanaka defeated Gannosuke, Kanemura, and when pinned Onita after a off the cage structure, lasting 17:52 amid and weapon spots. These encounters exemplified FMW's deathmatch intensity, with Shinzaki contributing through high-risk dives and resilience in bloody brawls, though specific street fight bouts during this run emphasized no-ropes variations rather than traditional street rules. Navigating these excursions presented logistical and stylistic hurdles for Shinzaki, who balanced them with an undefeated streak in singles matches that persisted into 1997. The rigid, karate-infused strong style of NJPW demanded precise timing and endurance, differing sharply from FMW's chaotic, weapon-heavy spectacles that prioritized endurance and innovation in violence. As a , Shinzaki managed a demanding schedule across promotions, often traveling between events while maintaining his Hakushi character's aura, which adapted variably to each environment's audience expectations. This period solidified his reputation as a versatile performer capable of bridging Japan's diverse wrestling landscapes.

All Japan Pro Wrestling (1998–2002)

In late 1997, Jinsei Shinzaki joined (AJPW), teaming up with longtime collaborator from (FMW), building on their prior teamwork in FMW excursions. The duo participated in AJPW's Real World Tag League 1997, showcasing a blend of high-flying maneuvers against the promotion's established heavy-hitters. This marked Shinzaki's sustained entry into AJPW's roster as a freelancer, allowing him to compete regularly in multi-man and tag matches amid the promotion's style era. Shinzaki and Hayabusa achieved significant tag team success in 1999, capturing the on February 13 at Korakuen Hall in by defeating champions Tamon Honda and Jun Izumida in 23:17, with Shinzaki securing the pin via a diving headbutt on Honda. They made one successful defense on March 19 against Masato Tanaka and Tetsuhiro Kuroda from ECW, retaining the titles in 30:35 after Hayabusa's Falcon Arrow on Kuroda. The reign ended on June 4 in when they lost the belts to Takao Omori and . This brief but impactful championship run highlighted their chemistry and elevated their status within AJPW's midcard tag division. Throughout their stint, Shinzaki and engaged in notable feuds with powerhouse teams, including the Holy Demon Army of and , adapting Shinzaki's agile, mist-based offense to complement AJPW's intense, hard-hitting strong style. Matches against such rivals emphasized endurance and storytelling, with Shinzaki incorporating elements of his Hakushi persona—such as facial mist and aerial dives—while enduring stiff strikes to fit the promotion's grueling pace. These encounters, often in tag league formats, helped Shinzaki gain respect in a roster dominated by veterans like and . Shinzaki remained with AJPW through the turbulent early 2000s, following Misawa's departure in 2000 to found , which led to a roster exodus and a shift in the promotion's direction under Motoko Baba. Amid declining attendance and stylistic changes, Shinzaki competed in sporadic high-profile bouts, including a victory with Osamu over and Ruckus on February 24, 2002, at Budokan Hall. He departed AJPW later that year, returning full-time to as the promotion stabilized under new leadership with Keiji Mutoh's arrival.

Return to Michinoku Pro and later career (2002–present)

Upon leaving in 2002, Jinsei Shinzaki made a permanent return to , resuming his longstanding pilgrim character characterized by spiritual rituals and aerial maneuvers. In his initial singles bouts upon return, including victories over Curry Man on March 9 and on February 17, Shinzaki remained undefeated, extending a streak that highlighted his veteran resilience. This run persisted into 2003 until a pinfall loss to Mr. Gannosuke on April 11 in a Wrestling Marvelous event. Shinzaki's post-return tenure emphasized collaborations and international excursions, solidifying his role as a Michinoku Pro mainstay. In 2006, he co-founded the promotion Girls' Pro Wrestling alongside to nurture female talent in the Tohoku region. A highlight came in 2011 during CHIKARA's tournament, where Shinzaki teamed with and as Team Michinoku Pro; they advanced past Team Minnesota (1-2-3 Kid, , and Darin Corbin) in the first round before falling to F.I.S.T. (Chuck Taylor, , and ) in the semifinals. This appearance underscored Shinzaki's enduring appeal in North American indie circuits. Into the 2020s, Shinzaki maintained an active in-ring presence despite advancing age, performing high-risk maneuvers such as the Spanish Fly—a top-rope —well into his mid-50s, demonstrating remarkable athletic longevity. His style evolved toward more calculated veteran performances, blending technical precision with occasional high-flying spots to mentor younger competitors in Michinoku Pro and affiliated promotions. As of 2025, at age 58, Shinzaki continues wrestling, with recent outings including a victory alongside and Yoshitomo Shimohigashi on April 7, 2025, another with Super over Rasse and Rui Hiugaji on November 4, 2024, and a loss with to Nanbu King and Rui Hiugaji on August 9, 2025.

Executive roles

Presidency of Michinoku Pro Wrestling

In 2003, Jinsei Shinzaki became president of following The Great Sasuke's resignation to focus on his political career as a member of the Iwate Prefectural Assembly. Shinzaki, a co-founder of the promotion since 1993, took over during a period of operational challenges, implementing reforms that facilitated a generational shift in the roster and helped sustain the company's presence as Japan's third-longest-running men's organization. Under Shinzaki's leadership, Michinoku Pro emphasized event scheduling in the Tohoku region, its foundational base, to foster community ties and local attendance, with most live shows occurring in prefectures like Iwate, Miyagi, and Akita. He also prioritized talent development by mentoring younger wrestlers, contributing to the promotion's emphasis on junior heavyweight styles and innovative matches that built on its roots. These initiatives helped preserve its high-flying, masked wrestler traditions amid competition from larger national promotions. The posed severe challenges, damaging facilities, disrupting operations, and affecting roster members in the region. These efforts, combined with roster adjustments to address departures and injuries, enabled the promotion to resume regular touring and maintain stability. As of 2025, Shinzaki continues as president and CEO of Michipro Corporation, the promotion's restructured management entity established in August 2024, with serving as chairman to guide long-term strategy. He oversees ongoing event promotion across Tohoku and beyond, including anniversary shows and regional tours that uphold the lucha libre influences central to Michinoku Pro's identity. During his tenure, Shinzaki has made sporadic in-ring appearances to support emerging talent.

Founding of Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling

In 2005, Jinsei Shinzaki co-founded Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling alongside professional wrestler , aiming to establish a dedicated women's promotion in the Tohoku region of following the closure of earlier that year. The initiative sought to nurture and showcase female talent in an area underserved by major promotions, with Shinzaki leveraging his experience as president of to provide foundational support. Satomura, a veteran known for her technical prowess, took on dual roles as trainer, booker, and in-ring leader to build the organization from the ground up. The initial roster comprised primarily young, inexperienced wrestlers recruited for development, with Satomura as the sole established star guiding their progress through rigorous training. Early events, starting with small-scale shows in , emphasized a strong style of wrestling characterized by intense, physically demanding matches that highlighted endurance and technical skill, reflecting Satomura's influence from her tenure. These inaugural cards focused on building foundational rivalries and skill development rather than high-profile spectacles, helping to establish the promotion's reputation for authentic, hard-hitting action in the local community. By the 2010s, Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling had expanded beyond Tohoku, conducting regular national tours across to broader audiences and collaborating with other promotions for cross-promotional . The promotion gained international exposure through overseas tours, including its debut in the in 2019, where it showcased talents against local wrestlers and drew attention from global fans. As of 2025, Shinzaki continues in an advisory and co-ownership capacity, occasionally appearing in while prioritizing his leadership at .

Personal life

Philanthropic efforts

Following the , Jinsei Shinzaki actively participated in immediate relief efforts in the affected region, where his restaurant in sustained damage but was quickly rebuilt by his staff using supplies transported from Tokushima by air and land. He personally distributed and other to victims, providing both nourishment and emotional support during the crisis, while initial reports of him losing his personal home and living in his car were later clarified as inaccurate. Shinzaki organized wrestling events under shortly after the disaster, including a recovery charity show on March 23, 2011, from which he withdrew to focus on direct relief efforts, and further events like the July 2011 Tohoku Spirit charity series in Akita, with proceeds directed toward supporting impacted communities in the . He also contributed to larger collaborative efforts, such as the All Together charity pro wrestling series in 2011 and 2012, which raised funds for disaster relief through multi-promotion shows held in and other areas. In addition to event-based , Shinzaki made personal donations and leveraged his restaurant's reopening on March 19, 2011, to serve affordable meals to those in need, emphasizing . Demonstrating a sustained commitment to Tōhoku's recovery, Shinzaki has continued to promote events through in the region, using his role as president to integrate disaster remembrance into annual shows that support local revitalization efforts. For the 10th anniversary in , he organized the "Don't Forget That Day" event series, aimed at transmitting lessons from the disaster to younger generations and fostering ongoing regional healing. Beyond the earthquake response, Shinzaki has engaged in minor charitable activities within the wrestling community, including participation in revival charity pro-wrestling events in 2011 that aided broader Tōhoku infrastructure recovery.

Fitness instruction career

In the , Jinsei Shinzaki transitioned into a certified fitness instructor specializing in elderly , drawing on his decades of experience to design accessible programs for seniors in . His certification in elderly fitness instruction enabled him to focus on maintaining among older adults, emphasizing bodyweight exercises such as push-ups to promote both and mental . These programs aim to support healthy aging, helping participants achieve well into their later years, including aspirations for living actively up to 100. Shinzaki's fitness routines incorporate elements from his wrestling background, tailored for balance and flexibility suitable for seniors. He developed "Jimitore," a simple method featuring easy stretches to prevent and enhance overall mobility, which he promotes as the "world's most simple " for . This approach leverages his ongoing wrestling activity to demonstrate practical, low-impact exercises that counteract age-related decline. By 2025, at age 58, Shinzaki exemplified his philosophy that "age is just a number" through initiatives like videos offering targeted training advice for seniors in an era of extended lifespans. His public appearances, including a May 2025 wrestling event in Kawasaki where he teamed with a new incarnation of , highlighted his dual role, blending in-ring performance with fitness demonstrations. Japanese media covered these efforts, featuring discussions on his senior mission alongside tributes to wrestling legends, reinforcing his influence in promoting active aging.

Championships and accomplishments

Championships

Shinzaki's championship success has been concentrated in tag team divisions, reflecting his collaborative style and veteran role in promoting teamwork within promotions like (AJPW) and (MPW). His reigns emphasize defensive strategies and high-impact matches that elevated mid-card titles, often partnering with fellow juniors or established stars to defend against rising talents. In AJPW, Shinzaki teamed with to capture the on February 13, 1999, defeating the reigning champions Tamon and Jun Izumida at Korakuen Hall in . This victory marked Shinzaki's first major title in the promotion and highlighted the pair's aerial prowess against the grounded, power-based defense of and Izumida. The reign lasted 111 days, during which they made one successful defense before losing the belts to Takao Omori and on June 4, 1999, in . The All Asia titles were significant as AJPW's storied secondary tag belts, established in 1955, and this reign contributed to the division's transition amid the promotion's shifting roster in the late . Returning to MPW, Shinzaki became an inaugural Tohoku Tag Team Champion on July 18, 2004, partnering with Último Dragón to win a three-way tournament final against Kesen Numajirō & Kazuya Yuasa and The Great Sasuke & Hayate in Yahaba, Iwate. This 54-day reign helped launch the title, MPW's primary tag division belt introduced to spotlight regional talent, and underscored Shinzaki's influence as a co-founder in building the promotion's identity around Tohoku-area wrestling. They lost the titles to Jun Kasai and Magnitude Kishiwada on September 10, 2004, in Hokkaido, but the win solidified Shinzaki's status as a pillar of MPW's tag scene. Shinzaki captured the Tohoku Tag Team Championship again on June 3, 2005, with GAINA, defeating the reigning champions to hold the titles for 36 days before dropping them. He reclaimed them briefly on April 23, 2006, in another reign with GAINA lasting less than a day, illustrating the title's competitive turnover in MPW's junior-heavy environment. Later, on May 6, 2014, Shinzaki won his fourth reign alongside Kesen Numajiro, holding for 33 days in matches that emphasized local rivalries. As a leader, Shinzaki's later titles included the UWA World Tag Team Championship on May 4, 2021, won with in a multi-team match, reigning for 152 days and using the belts to mentor younger MPW competitors during regional tours. Concurrently, they captured the Tohoku Tag Team titles on the same date, holding for a record-extending 306 days until March 6, 2022, with defenses that reinforced MPW's tag legacy amid post-pandemic recovery. These reigns, spanning over 17 years total across five Tohoku victories, highlight Shinzaki's enduring impact without pursuing singles gold, focusing instead on elevating partners and the promotion's midcard prestige.
TitleReign #PartnerDate WonOpponents (Won From)Reign LengthDate LostNotes
All Asia Tag Team Championship (AJPW)1HayabusaFebruary 13, 1999Tamon Honda & Jun Izumida111 daysJune 4, 19991 successful defense; elevated junior tag division.
Tohoku Tag Team Championship (MPW)1Último DragónJuly 18, 2004Kesen Numajirō & Kazuya Yuasa and The Great Sasuke & Hayate (three-way tournament final)54 daysSeptember 10, 2004Inaugural champions via 6-team tournament.
Tohoku Tag Team Championship (MPW)2GAINAJune 3, 2005Prior champions (unspecified)36 daysJuly 9, 2005Focused on regional defenses.
Tohoku Tag Team Championship (MPW)3GAINAApril 23, 2006Prior champions (unspecified)<1 dayApril 23, 2006Shortest reign; immediate rematch loss.
Tohoku Tag Team Championship (MPW)4Kesen NumajiroMay 6, 2014Prior champions (unspecified)33 daysJune 8, 2014Highlighted local talent integration.
UWA World Tag Team Championship1The Great SasukeMay 4, 2021Multi-team (unspecified)152 daysOctober 3, 2021Cross-promotion significance.
Tohoku Tag Team Championship (MPW)5The Great SasukeMay 4, 2021Prior champions (unspecified)306 daysMarch 6, 2022Longest personal reign; veteran mentorship.

Other accomplishments

Shinzaki achieved notable recognition in professional wrestling rankings during the 1990s and early 2000s. In 1993, he won the Tokyo Sports Newcomer of the Year Award. In 1995, amid his tenure in the World Wrestling Federation where he portrayed the character Hakushi, he was ranked No. 48 in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's annual PWI 500, highlighting his impact as a singles competitor. This placement reflected his unique style and international exposure during a peak period for Japanese wrestlers in North American promotions. Additionally, in 2003, Shinzaki was ranked No. 209 among the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years," a retrospective evaluation of careers spanning the magazine's history up to that point, underscoring his overall contributions to the industry. Beyond individual rankings, Shinzaki participated in prestigious international tournaments that showcased his veteran status. In 2011, as part of Team Michinoku Pro alongside and , he advanced to the semi-finals of Chikara's tournament, defeating notable teams including Team Minnesota in the opening round before falling to Team F.I.S.T. This accomplishment highlighted his enduring teamwork and appeal in the American independent scene, drawing crowds with his signature mistico persona. Shinzaki's career longevity has earned him praise for maintaining an active in-ring presence well into his late 50s. Born in 1966, he continues to compete regularly, with documented matches in promotions like and Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling as recently as 2025, demonstrating remarkable durability and commitment to the profession at age 58. This sustained activity, spanning over three decades, positions him as a symbol of resilience in .

References

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