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by Natsumi Kuroyama, January 10th, 1999 
My first meeting with the man known as Tasogare no Prince occurred when
he came to the offices of Puroresuring Nikki Magazine. He had just
won the SJPW Welterweight Championship, and our magazine was very interested
in doing an interview with one of the brightest up and coming stars in the
world of Puroresu. Imagine my surprise when he agreed to do the
interview, but only on the condition that I be the one to do it.
Needless to say, I agreed. A few days later, I received a single white
orchid with a note setting the time and place for the interview. I was
to meet him at 6:45 p.m. in Sakura Park in Tokyo. As the sun began to
set, the Prince of Twilight appeared, seemingly from nowhere, behind
me. He took a seat next to me on the park bench where I was sitting,
and I began the interview...NK: Tasogare no Prince, thank you very much for consenting to this interview. TnP: It is I who should thank you. It is not often I am able to enjoy the company of such a lovely woman. NK: Arigatoo. You have created quite a name for yourself in SJPW as of late, but your background still remains fairly shrouded in mystery. Could you please tell our readers about how you entered into the world of Puroresu? TnP: Of course. I was born and raised in Nihon, naturally. I knew from very early on that I was destined for a career in puroresu. I began my training in Nihon, but I was interested in learning other styles of wrestling as well. After training here for several years, I journeyed to Mexico to study the Lucha Libre style of wrestling. After training and working there for a brief time, I made my debut in America in a regional promotion called WHCW. I earned that promotion's Cruiserweight title in my second match there. I defended my belt for a few months, but was dissatisfied with the lack of interest in the Cruiserweight division the management there showed. I departed WHCW and went to another Regional American federation, IWC. There, I was given an opportunity to help build that federation's Cruiserweight division, but was thwarted in my quest to become it's first champion by a man known as the Trixxster. However, I persevered, and defeated him to become the IWC Can-Am champion, just as I knew I was destined to. NK: It sounds as if you enjoyed a great deal of success in America. What prompted you to return to your native Japan? TnP: After a few months as the IWC Can-Am champion, I simply felt that my destiny lay elsewhere. I must admit, I was somewhat at a loss as to where I would go next, but then I heard about the re-opening of SJPW. Again, destiny called to me, and I answered. Shortly thereafter, I was entered into the Welterweight tournament, and eventually defeated Yukio Murakami at Sensou no Jidai to become the first SJPW Welterweight champion. More than making up for my failure to become the first IWC Can-Am champion. NK: Do you prefer wrestling in America, or here in Japan? TnP: Obviously, it gives me a very deep sense of satisfaction to be back in my homeland doing that which I was destined to do. The thrill of winning the SJPW Welterweight title was made even greater by achieving it in front of my countrymen. NK: What of the man whom you defeated for the Welterweight title? "The Warbird" Yukio Murakami? TnP: I bear him no ill will. I was honored and privileged to have such a worthy opponent. I look forward to the day when we will face one another again. However, I always knew that I would emerge triumphant. After all, it was my destiny. NK: You seem to have developed quite a following in the SJPW, especially among the young girls who come to see the events. TnP: [smiling] Ah yes. I suppose I have. NK: To what do you attribute this popularity? TnP: Perhaps it is because they can sense that I appreciate true beauty. The kind of beauty that all young women possess. The kind of beauty that you possess as well, Kuroyama-san. NK: I... I see. You seem to want to maintain an air of mystery about you. Is there any particular reason for that? TnP: Ah. Forgive me if I made you uncomfortable, Kuroyama-san. Anyway, while in Mexico, I was very intrigued by the way the masked luchadores always kept their masks on in public, even when not wrestling. It seemed to give them more confidence, and gave them a mystique that seemed to pique the interest of the fans. Naturally, I could not bring myself to cover my face, but I applied some of those principles when crafting my image. NK: Why have you chosen the image you have? TnP: Do you not approve of it, Kuroyama-san? NK: O-of course. I was just... curious. TnP: Soo ka? So tell me, are you intrigued by the persona which I project? NK: Yes. I am. TnP: Ah, then it has worked well, ne? I have always appreciated beauty and tranquility. What better representation of both these things than the Twilight. [He looks off into the distance] And now, I see the Twilight is upon us, Kuroyama-san. And I must take my leave. I hope the information I have given you will be sufficient? NK: Actually, I do have one more question... TnP: I could not be so rude as to leave it unanswered, Kuroyama-san. Please ask it. NK: Why did you request that I do this interview? TnP: [He smiles again] Why? Because it was destiny that we meet. Sayonara, Kuroyama-san. With that, the Prince of Twilight bowed and presented me with a white orchid, which he had been holding throughout the interview. I watched as he walked away towards the setting sun, disappearing among the trees. I stared down at the fragile flower in my palm, and headed back to my office, to begin working on this article. Thinking of the Prince's last enigmatic statement... 
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