The brutal glory of Japan's all-female pro-wrestlers
There's nothing demure about these moves
Kairi Hojo jumps on her opponent Mieko Satomura as they fight in the stands during a 2015 Stardom female professional wrestling show in Tokyo, Japan.
(REUTERS/Thomas Peter)Japan's all-female pro wrestlers are called "joshi puroresu," and their style, like their male counterparts', is less gimmicky than American pro-wrestling. Though matche
Wrestler Io Shirai executes a moonsault onto Mayu Iwatani.
(REUTERS/Thomas Peter)Professional wrestling began in Japan after World War II, in an attempt to raise the country's deflated spirit. Women joined the sport soon after, in the 1950s, but real
Kaori Housako jumps on her opponent Mieko Satomura.
(REUTERS/Thomas Peter)
Mieko Satomura carries her opponent Kairi Hojo through the audience.
(REUTERS/Thomas Peter)
Wrestlers scatter across the ring.
(REUTERS/Thomas Peter)
Wrestlers Kris Wolf and Starfire fight.
(REUTERS/Thomas Peter)
Wrestlers fight.
(REUTERS/Thomas Peter)
Act Yasukawa jumps at Kairi Hojo.
(REUTERS/Thomas Peter)
Wrestler Kris Wolf receives ice spray treatment.
(REUTERS/Thomas Peter)
Ticker tape confetti rains on wrestler Act Yasukawa after her last match before retirement in December.
(REUTERS/Thomas Peter)
