Koriki Choshu

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (November 2007)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Koriki Chōshū (長州小力, Chōshū Koriki^?) (born Kazuteru Kubota (久保田和輝, Kubota Kazuteru^?), February 5, 1972 in the city of Nishi-Tokyo, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian. He is most famous for his act in which he mocks a famous Japanese professional wrestler Riki Chōshū due to his resemblance. Koriki is a play on Riki's name, meaning something like "little Riki".

Unlike many Japanese comedians, he isn't associated with any entertainment agency, though he belongs to a comedian "pro-wrestling" organization, West Gate Wrestling Federation (西口プロレス, Nishiguchi Puroresu^?).

On Television, he is always seen wearing the same outfit, short bicycle shorts and a far too short T-shirt showing off his protruding belly. He speaks with a very strong lisp (much less so when not in character) and is prone to treating mundane objects (such as his microphone) as wrestling opponents.

As an acting pro wrestler, he uses appropriately strong language, though it's never taken seriously due to his strong lisp. Some phrases that he is commonly heard lisping are:

When asked "Are you ticked?" (キレてんの?, Kiretenno?^?) he lisps defiantly "This ain't ticked." (キレてないっすよ, Kiretenai ssuyo^?)
Sometimes then following with "It's gonna take a lot more than that to tick me off." (俺をキレさせたら大したもんだ, Ore o kiresasetara taishita monda^?)
"That's it! You idiot!" (しゃあ! この野郎!, Shaa! Konoyarō!^?)
"You Hashimoto or something?" (お前橋本か?, Omae Hashimoto ka?^?)
"Bastard! Hashimoto! Hashimoto!" (てめえ! 橋本っ! 橋本っ!, Temee! Hashimoto! Hashimoto!^?)
Occasionally: "Now this is something to get ticked about." (これはキレるよ, Kore wa kireru yo^?)

Hashimoto is a famous Japanese pro wrestler, Shinya Hashimoto.

More recently, he has added Para Para (a Japanese dancing style) to his comedy routine, always to the tune of "Night of Fire", a popular Eurobeat track by Niko. In 2005, riding the popularity of his act, Koriki was featured in a cover version of Niko's track with Para Para oriented Japanese idol group Hinoi Team, accompanying a video and CD release.

He also tried to add a partner that looked similar to Antonio Inoki, aptly named Antonio Koinoki, but the gimmick failed and his partner faded into obscurity.

He is said to enjoy surfing and billiards, and is known to have sent a resume to Johnny & Associates.

He has also performed as a competitor on Sasuke, having entered 3 tournaments (15th, 18th, 19th), but has never made it past the First Stage.