Harry Masayoshi Fujiwara (Japanese: 藤原 正義, Hepburn: Fujiwara Masayoshi; 4 May 1934 – 28 August 2016) was an American professional wrestler, actor and manager, known professionally by his ring name Mr. Fuji (or Master Fuji to his protégés). He was famous for often throwing salt in the eyes of fan favorite wrestlers. Notable wrestlers and tag teams managed by him include Don Muraco, Yokozuna and Demolition.
Harry Masayoshi Fujiwara was born on May 4, 1934, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was of Japanese and Native Hawaiian ancestry.
Fujiwara made his professional wrestling debut in 1962 in his native Hawaii under the ring name Mr. Fujiwara. He won his first championship, the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship, with King Curtis Iaukea on January 7, 1966. He shortened his ring name to Mr. Fuji and toured many territories, including Don Owen's Portland, Oregon based NWA Pacific Northwest Wrestling where he won many championships.
World Wide Wrestling Federation (1972–1974)
Fuji debuted in Vince McMahon Sr.'s World Wide Wrestling Federation in 1972 as a heel. He formed a tag team with Professor Toru Tanaka and the duo were managed by the Grand Wizard. Tanaka provided his physical massive strength and Fuji brought his devious ring psychology to the team, which earned him the nickname "The Devious One". Fuji used to throw salt in his opponent's eyes, which earned him victories. They defeated Sonny King and Chief Jay Strongbow on June 27, 1972, for their first World Tag Team Championship. They quickly ascended to main event status, defending the titles against WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Pedro Morales and Bruno Sammartino on several occasions, throughout the year. During the feud, Fuji earned a shot at the WWWF title against Morales on August 22 but lost by count-out. They reigned for eleven months, making them the third longest reigning WWWF World Tag Team Champions in history. They lost the championship to Tony Garea and Haystacks Calhoun on May 30, 1973.
They continued to feud with Garea and Calhoun for the titles before defeating them on September 11 in a rematch to win their second WWWF World Tag Team Championship. With their title recapture, their feud with Garea and his new partner Dean Ho continued. On November 14, Fuji and Tanaka lost the titles to Garea and Ho. After failing to recapture the title from Garea and Ho, Fuji and Tanaka left the WWWF in 1974.
Mid-Atlantic and Georgia Championship Wrestling (1974–1975)
After WWWF, Fuji went on his own to Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling from 1974 to 1975.
He reunited with Tanaka and debuted in Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW) in August 1975. On September 19, 1975, they participated in a four-team tournament where they defeated former WWWF rivals Tony Garea and Dean Ho in the finals to win the vacant NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship. They lost the title to Bob Backlund and Jerry Brisco a month later. Shortly after their title loss, they left GCW and toured other territories and won several titles.
California and Texas (1976–1977)
In 1976, Fuji went on his own to work for Big Time Wrestling in California. He won the NWA San Francisco United States title defeating Pat Patterson on February 7 in San Francisco. He held the title until leaving the territory in February 1977.
Also in 1976 he worked for World Class Championship Wrestling in Texas while champion in California.
Return to the WWWF (1977–1978)
Fuji and Tanaka returned to WWWF in 1977. They took on Freddie Blassie as their manager. On September 27, 1977, they defeated Larry Zbyszko and longtime rival Tony Garea in the finals of a tag team tournament to win their third WWWF World Tag Team Championship. They wrestled in many six-man and eight-man tag team matches during their third reign. They lost the belts to Dino Bravo and Dominic DeNucci on the March 14, 1978, episode of Championship Wrestling. Shortly after, they left WWWF again.
Touring the territories (1978–1981)
Fuji and Tanaka continued to tour the territories in 1979 where they won titles again. Later that same year, they stopped teaming and began wrestling individually. Fuji had success, winning several singles titles in many promotions including World Wrestling Council, NWA New Zealand and Maple Leaf Wrestling.
Second return to the WWF (1981–1996)
Teaming with Mr. Saito (1981–1982)