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Shin Koyamada

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Shin Koyamada
小山田 真
File:ShinKoyamada2011.jpg
Shin Koyamada in Los Angeles
Occupation(s)Actor, producer, philanthropist, martial arts instructor
Years active2002–present
WebsiteShinKoyamada.com
ShinKoyamada.jp

Shin Koyamada (小山田 真, Koyamada Shin, born March 10, 1982) is a film actor, producer, philanthropist and Martial artist. Koyamada is based in Los Angeles, United States since the year 2000. He speaks fluent Japanese, English and some Spanish and Mandarin.

Koyamada became best known to audience after his co-starring role “Nobutada” in the Warner Bros. action epic The Last Samurai , starring Tom Cruise and directed by Edward Zwick. Koyamada starred in the action/adventure Disney Channel Original Movie series Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior, which was one of the top rated Disney Channel Original Movies with over 5.7 million viewers on the night of its premiere in the US. It also received the highest rating in the history of Disney Channel Japan and broke records in the United Kingdom and Europe making Disney Channel the highest rated kids channel in Europe. Koyamada also starred in the film Good Soil.

Koyamada is noted for his skill in various martial arts styles.[1]

Early life and background

Koyamada was born in a small city Okayama, Japan when his father settled in to work for the local government of Okayama, Japan after traveling to manage several branches of one of the biggest shoes stores throughout the country and his mother was working for him in one of the branches.

As a small boy, Koyamada's love of American and Hong Kong action movies began influenced by his father.[2] Despite the disapproval of family and friends, he was determined to see this dream realized. At an early age, he directed all of his energy to physical training in gymnastics as a team captain, track, triathlon. His decision to pursue his dream in Hollywood was already made by 15.[3]

In Junior high school, his mother enrolled Koyamada to go abroad and study at the Rochedale State High School in Queensland, Australia as part of the international exchange summer program for a month, despite his will. He was placed in the program's hosting family in Brisbane, Australia.

Koyamada graduated from one of the prestigious Japanese High school Ichinomiya High School located in Okayama, Okayama Prefecture.[4]

Moving to the U.S.

When Koyamada first moved to the United States on June 11, 2000, he enrolled in the Intensive English Program at the University of California, Riverside extension and completed the program in a month and half.[5]

In September 2000, Koyamada moved to Hollywood alone, not knowing anyone, having no place to stay, and not knowing how to speak English.[6] In 2001, Koyamada enrolled in the Los Angeles City College as a full-time international student where he first began taking intensive acting lessons in the theater academy.

Entertainment

Acting

Early work

Building an acting career with little money, no agent, manager or other Hollywood connections is an extremely difficult accomplishment.[7] To gain experience and a portfolio, Koyamada worked long hours for very little or no pay in everything he could find.

By 2001 at the Knightsbridge Theatre, he choreographed and performed martial arts forms and stage combat for a unique production of Shakespeare's Coriolanus.[8] Koyamada appeared in the commercials, including Disneyland California, JC Penny and Apple Computer International.[9] Koyamada made a brief guest appearance on Power Rangers Wild Force in 2002.[10] His first movie work was a short comedy film called A Ninja Pays Half My Rent directed by Steven Tsuchida. The film was first released in 2003.[11]

The Last Samurai

In 2003, submitting himself for various projects via an Internet casting site, he landed his debut feature film role in The Last Samurai director by Edward Zwick. Co-starring opposite Tom Cruise in the Warner Bros. epic as Nobutada, friend to Cruise's character, Algren, a son of Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe), a fierce archer, double swordsman, and a young Samurai.[12] While filming The Last Samurai in Japan, United States, and New Zealand for almost 8 months, he added Kyūdō (Japanese Archery) and Yabusame to his repertoire.[13] Shin also honed his acting skills with the help of director/producer Edward Zwick and actor/producer Tom Cruise, making the most of a powerful debut. The movie was well received upon release, with a worldwide box office of $456 million. In addition it was nominated for several awards, including Academy Awards, Golden Globes and the National Board of Review.[14]

The movie received an enthusiastic reception among the moviegoing public in Japan, with box office receipts higher in that country than in the USA. The box office of the movie upon release in Japan was $119,268,595 and $111,127,263 in the US.[15]

Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior

File:DisneyShinKoyamada.jpg
Shin at the 2007 Disney Channel Games in the Walt Disney World.

Koyamada first starred in the action/adventure/drama Disney Channel Original Movie Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior with Brenda Song as Shen, an Undercover Buddhist Monk, who has an important mission with Wendy in the United States.[16] Koyamada plays a Chinese monk who visits the title character, an American teenager played by Song, claiming Wu is the reincarnation of a powerful female warrior and the only person who can prevent an ancient evil spirit from destroying the world. Shin spoke not only in English from the beginning to the end of the movie, but also a bit of Mandarin.[17] The entire movie was shot in Auckland, New Zealand.[18]

To promote the movie, Koyamada traveled to Japan and appeared in the several magazines and television shows in Japan. While promoting the film in Japan, Koyamada entirely dubbed his role in Japanese to be released in the Japan.

This film had over 5.7 million viewers on the night of its premiere[19] making Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior the fifth highest viewed DCOM and also received the highest rating in the history of Disney Channel Japan.[20] The film also broke records in the United Kingdom and Europe making Disney Channel the highest rated kids channel in Europe.[21]

In 2006, Koyamada participated 2006 Disney Channel Games with Zac Efron, Dylan Sprouse, Anneliese van der Pol on the Red Team. On the Obstacle Course, Shin stormed through the course, only to have jumped on the slide in the end. The race was re-done. Shin once again breezed through the course, and won[22]

In 2007, Koyamada appeared on the 2007 Disney Channel Games and has represented Japan. The Second Annual Disney Channel Games are over as of 25 August 2007. As advertised, these have proven to be the biggest of them all. Hosted at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, stars from other nations' Disney Channels have joined the teams, making room for the new Yellow Team. In addition, each team is playing for a charity (including Boys & Girls Club, UNICEF, Make-a-Wish Foundation and Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation. Disney also revealed the games becoming environmentally friendly. and 2008. The 2007 Games were produced by Disney Channel

In 2008, Koyamada appeared on the 2008 Disney Channel Games on the Lighting/Blue Team. Koyamada received The Disney Channel Sportsmanship Award at Disney Channel Games 2008. The event was filmed at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and benefits four children's charities: Make-A-Wish Foundation, Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation, UNICEF and Boys & Girls Club of America.

Each of the five subsequent "Disney Channel Games" 2008 special telecasts were presented Saturdays (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) through August 30. The 27 Disney Channels worldwide aired the five special telecasts thereafter with local Disney Channel stars hosting their country's telecast.

Projects in Japan and Hollywood

In 2006, Koyamada starred in and executive produced in the Japanese full feature documentary show Wine Road of the Samurai (2006), filmed in Egypt, France and Japan and nationally distributed by Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) and other 28 affiliated TV stations in Japan.[23][24]

In 2007, Koyamada appeared in the 20th Century Fox feature film Constellation, starring by Billy Dee Williams, Hill Harper, Zoe Saldana, Gabrielle Union, Lesley Ann Warren and Ever Carradine and director by Jordan Walker-Pearlman. Te film was released by Codeblack Entertainment and 20th Century Fox in 2007. Prior to theatrical release the film won several Audience and Jury Awards at Festivals. It had its French Premiere in Cannes, and in Britain premiered as a special screening at The American Embassy in London. It currently screens across the country at "Better Together" conferences promoting inter-racial dialogue.

In 2008, Koyamada starred and produced in the film Good Soil, written and director by Craig Shimahara. Koyamada's character Jinbei Masuda, a young Samurai, draws his strength from his faith, family, and fencing. However, he is caught up in the shogun’s policy of religious persecution and must choose between his loved ones and his God. Ships from Europe brought the forbidden religion to the shores of Japan in 1549. For decades the seeds of faith grew under the watchful gaze of the Shogun. But the fear of foreign influence eventually gave rise to persecution.

In 2010, Koyamada starred for a stage production called Ai No Shiuku at the opening ceremony of The 25th National Cultural Festival Okayama 2010 as Seinen Makibi , hosted by Agency for Cultural Affairs of the Government of Japan and Okayama Prefecture Government in Okayama Prefecture, Japan, nationally televised by NHK and locally covered by the four other TV stations. The National Cultural Festival is the Japan's largest cultural festival attended by the Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan and hosted by a Prefecture Government of Japan every year.

Koyamada is set to produce and star in the action and comedy feature film Ticker, produced by Paul Heller (Enter The Dragon) and Nia Lyte, and written by Stephen Langford (Love Wrecked). Koyamada will play Sam Goldman.[25]

Comics

Koyamada partnered with Travis Moore and Nia Lyte to form an American comic company called Laizen Comics to develop and publish American comics in late 2008.

The Dreamhoppers

An Action and Adventure comic book titled The Dreamhoppers was created and written by Shin Koyamada, Travis Moore and Nia Lyte and published by Laizen Comics in early 2010. The story is based in New York. Koyamada is featured as the main character named Ren Matsuo in The Dreamhoppers.[26] The Dreamhoppers is currently in the development of Live-Action film and Television animated series.

Music

Koyamada's debut Single titled Movin' On was written and produced by a music producer Erich Bulling and Brandon Gatson and digitally released by Meter On Records, which is the Join Venture with Shin Koyamada and Erich Bulling and established in 2009.[27]

Filmography

Year Title Role Distributor Other notes
2002 A Ninja Pays Half My Rent Black Ninja Oil Factory Lead
Power Rangers Wild Force Agent Disney Channel
2003 The Last Samurai Nobutada Warner Bros. Pictures Lead
2004 Jake 2.0 Shinji Makito Viacom Guest Starring, (one episode)
2006 Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior Shen Walt Disney Television, Disney Channel Worldwide Lead
Disney Channel Games 2006 Himself Disney Channel Worldwide, Buena Vista Television Lead, Red Team
Wine Road of the Samurai Narrator, Himself Tokyo Broadcasting System Actor, Executive Producer
2007 Good Soil Jinbei Masuda Endurance Productions Lead, Producer
Disney Channel Games 2007 Himself Disney Channel Worldwide, Buena Vista Television Lead, Yellow Team
2008 Disney Channel Games 2008 Himself Disney Channel Worldwide, Buena Vista Television Lead, Blue Team
2010 Ai No Shizuku Seinen Makibi NHK Starring
2011 Ticker Sam Goldman Shinca Entertainment Starring, Producer
Producer
Year Title Position Genre
2006 Wine Road of the Samurai Producer Feature Documentary
2007 Good Soil Executive Producer Film

Sports

Martial arts career

Competitions

JAPAN

By 16, Koyamada began to study Keishinkan Karate in Okayama, Japan, in which he was awarded his first degree Black Belt under Tadashi Yoshii Sensei who has studied under Gichin Funakoshi Sensei.[28] 18 months is considered a very fast to reach shodan in most martial arts, though it does vary based on circumstance. Interpretations also vary, but a black belt generally signifies a thorough understanding of the basics, and often enables the wearer to instruct in some capacity.[29]

Koyamada competed in the International Karate Championships held in Nagano Prefecture, Japan from 1998 to 2000. Unlike the Karate tournament system in the United States, the division was divided in age group. Although Koyamada was the only white belt competitor in the high school division and had to compete against all Black Belt competitors, he defeated the Black Belt/Former Champion who came from the United States in the first year of the tournament in August 1998.[30]

Through his junior and high school year, Koyamada also took classes of Judo and Kendo for a few years in Okayama, Japan.

UNITED STATES

After relocating to the United States in 2000, Koyamada began training in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu 6 days a week under Harmonious Fist Chinese Athletic Association.[31] Koyamada specialized in empty hand form Boot Bo (拔步) and a double broadsword among other 18 Chinese classical weapons in Northern Shaolin. Koyamada performed in the several evens including Chinese New Year Parade every year in Chinatown and Hollywood.[32] Since after just training of the Kung Fu for six months from 2001 to 2003, Koyamada begun competing in six U.S National Martial Arts Competitions in Northern Shaolin in several cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas and San Francisco over five months and won first place in all but one, and that was a second.[33][34]

After most of the martial arts competitions he competed and/or won in the U.S., the other competitors used to come up to him and tell him that he must be training Kung Fu for a very long time to get to where you are. Koyamada responded to them that he just started training in the Northern Shaolin Kung Fu just a few months ago and they were stunned by that as well as the fact that he was learning Chinese martial arts as a Japanese national.

Further developments

In 2005, Koyamada earned san-dan (third degree) black belt in traditional Keishinkan Karate back in Japan.[35]

In 2005, Koyamada began in Tae Kwon Do in Los Angeles, in which he earned the second degree Black Belt by a Korean teacher in Los Angeles.[36] In 2007, Koyamada began Kung Jung Mu Sul (Korean Royal Court Martial Arts), which is a minor traditional Korean martial arts style in Los Angeles and certified the first degree Black Belt by Grandmaster Soon Tae Yang in San Francisco in 2008.[37]

Other styles Koyamada has studied include Aikido and Iaido in Los Angeles.

Koyamada was featured in a cover of Black Belt Magazine in 2004.[38]

In 2009, Koyamada was invited to an annual Martial Arts Tour of Italy organized by Federico Coccorese, who is based in Rome, Italy as the main host and performer of the event.[39] The event was nationally broadcast by Italian national television station.[40] Koyamada was awarded by the Mayor of Nettuno, Italy for his contribution to the community in Italy. Koyamada is scheduled to go back to the Martial Arts Tour 2010 with Takayuki Kubota Sensei, Fumio Demura Sensei and Tadashi Yamashita Sensei in Rome, Italy.

Other sports

Track and field and road racing

In 1989, Koyamada began training in long distance road cycling inspired by his uncle. At age of 12, he began competing in various long distance road cycling race along with adult competitors in Okayama Prefecture, Japan.[41]

In 1993, Koyamada joined the Track and field team of the Elementary school he was attending and took the test and officially accepted by the Okayama City Junior Track and Field (OJAC) club in the same year.[42] Koyamada started competing in the various tournaments held in the Okayama Prefecture as the representatives of the elementary school and Okayama City team. Koyamada specialized in the 100m and 200m sprint.

Koyamada was approached by an event organizer of the Taranaki Road Cycling pairing up on the Tandem with a New Zealand Cycling Champion and completed the off-road racing around Mount Taranaki/Egmont in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

Gymnastics

In 1998, Koyamada began training in high school gymnastic and had served as a captain of the team for two years from 1998-2000.[43] Also the gymnastic team led by Koyamada placed 3rd in the Prefectural Gymnastic Tournament. Koyamada specialized in the floor exercise, parallel bars, and rings.

Philanthropy and entrepreneurship

File:Shin-koyamada-japan-bowl.jpg
Shin at 2010 National Japan Bowl in Washington DC

Koyamada first became personally aware of worldwide crises when his mother visited Myanmar and explained him the situation and troubles that people have in the country. In the following year, Koyamada visited and learned about problems and the conditions people are in some areas while filming Wine Road of the Samurai in Africa. Koyamada began many volunteer works helping nonprofit organizations and the programs including Boys and Girls Club of America, KICKSTART, Starlight Starbright, Japan-America Society and The Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA).[44][45] NFL players and Shin became involved in the Muwanba Family Foundation, which focuses helping the lives of the children throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa.[46][47] In April 2010, Koyamada joined the Parade of National Cherry Blossom Festival on Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th streets, the 50th National Japan Bowl as a judge, which is hosted by the Japan-America Society of Washington D.C..

The Shin Koyamada Foundation

Founded in 2008, The Shin Koyamada Foundation offers scholarships to give youth to learn the importance of respect, honor, courtesy, value and manner through martial arts and active help on global environmental issues, donations and education to underprivileged individual and family and international cultural exchange projects.[48] The mission of the Shin Koyamada Foundation is to empower youth to achieve their goals and dreams and Save the Earth.[49] The main programs of the foundation are Martial Arts Scholarship Program, International Exchange Program, Global Donation Program, Global Education Program and Global Nature Program.[50]

Endorsement

In 2003, Koyamada endorced the clothing lines of Hurley International.

Other ventures

Koyamada founded Shinca Corporation, an American corporation in mid 2008, which operates in several divisions, including web design and management and entertainment. The name of the company “Shinca” derives from the founder’s name and also happens to mean Evolution in Japanese when the company Shinca Productions, Inc. first was incorporated and named after that in October 2005.

Koyamada is also one of the shareholders of Japanese jewelry company Demantoid Japan, which acquired a mining concession on the Urals mine which was closed down by the Russian Revolution.

Personal life

In childhood, Koyamada became a fan of various Japanese Television anime series and manga, including Dragon Ball, Samurai X, Naruto, YuYu Hakusho.

Koyamada speaks, writes and reads fluent Japanese and English, and a little Spanish and Mandarin.[51]

Ancestry

Koyamada is a direct descendant of the Koyamada clan which was an elite Samurai clan and had owned the Koyamada Castle in the Satsuma Domain since 1334.[52][53][54] Satsuma Domain was controlled throughout the Edo period by the tozama daimyō of the Shimazu clan and one of the most powerful feudal domains in Tokugawa Japan, and played a major role in the Meiji Restoration and in the government of the Meiji Period, which followed.[55]

Honors and awards

Koyamada was appointed as International Goodwill Ambassador of the Government of Okayama Prefecture, Japan in February, 2010.

Koyamada was honored the Gold Key to the City of New Plymouth in New Zealand by a Mayor Peter Tennent in mid 2003.

Koyamada was honored and awarded a Gold Coin for actively supporting a Mexican community by the Mexican Government in 2005.

Koyamada was awarded at World Martial Arts Masters Expo 05, which was co-hosted by a President/COO of Warner Bros., Alan Horn and a President of CBS Studios, Michael Klausman on January 14, 2005.[56]

References

  1. ^ "Shin Koyamada's remarkable martial arts skills".
  2. ^ "Inspired by American and Hong Kong films".
  3. ^ "His decision to moving to Hollywood was already made".
  4. ^ "Shin Koyamada enrolled in English classes and began a strict regimen of language instruction".
  5. ^ "Shin Koyamada enrolled in English classes and began a strict regimen of language instruction".
  6. ^ "Shin Koyamada came to Hollywood all by himself".
  7. ^ "Shin Koyamada had no connections in Hollywood when he came to Los Angeles".
  8. ^ "Shin Koyamada appeared in [[Coriolanus]] and choreographed stage combat in the play". {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  9. ^ "Commercial appearance".
  10. ^ Shin Koyamada at IMDb
  11. ^ "Ninja Pays Half My Rent".
  12. ^ "Shin Koyamada plays Nobutada in the Last Samurai".
  13. ^ "Shin Koyamad takes serious training in Kyudo and Yabusame".
  14. ^ "The list of award the Last Samurai received".
  15. ^ "The Last Samurai received box office receipts higher in that country than in the USA]".
  16. ^ "Shin Koyomada: LAST SAMURAI to Last Monk in WENDY WU".
  17. ^ "Shin Koyamada speaks little bit of Mandarin in the movie".
  18. ^ "Wendy Wu was entirely shot in Auckland, New Zealand".
  19. ^ R. Thomas Umstead (January 22, 2007). "Disney Movie Skips to Another Record". Retrieved 2007-09-22.
  20. ^ Jacques Steinberg (June 15, 2006). "Brenda Song Turns Warrior in Disney's 'Wendy Wu'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
  21. ^ Live-Action Fare Gives Disney Channel U.K. a Boost
  22. ^ "Shin Koyamada participates in Disney Channel Games 2007".
  23. ^ [http://www.tbs.co.jp/program/wine_dream.html / "Shin Koyamada in Wine Road of the Samurai （ワイン大国を夢見た男達）]"]. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); line feed character in |url= at position 45 (help)
  24. ^ "Shin Koyamada in Japanese feature documentary 'Wine Road of the Samurai', distributed by TBS]".
  25. ^ "Set to star and produce a feature film 'Ticker', written by Steven Langford]".
  26. ^ "Shin is featured as the main character named Ren Matsuo in the American comic book called The Dreamhoppers]".
  27. ^ "Shin Koyamada's debut Single 'Movin On', produced by Meter On Records".
  28. ^ "Shin Koyamada earned a Black Belt in Kei Shin Kan Karate]".
  29. ^ "Shin Koyamada earned a Black Belt in Kei Shin Kan Karate]".
  30. ^ "Shin Koyamada competed in the National Karate Tournament in Nagano, Japan]".
  31. ^ "Shin studies Northern Shaolin Kung Fu]".
  32. ^ "Shin participated at Lunar New Year's Parade". {{cite web}}: Text "Chinatown, CA]" ignored (help)
  33. ^ "2001 US Open KuoShu Martial Arts Championships".
  34. ^ "Shin wins 6 times US National Champion".
  35. ^ "Shin Koyamada earns 3rd degree Black Belt in Kei Shin Kan Karate]".
  36. ^ "Shin holds a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do]".
  37. ^ "Shin holds a black belt in Kung Jung Mu Sul (Korean Royal Court Martial Arts)]".
  38. ^ Entertainment Weekly: Shin Koyamada featured on the cover of Black Belt Magazine.
  39. ^ "Martial Arts Tour of Italy in 2009".
  40. ^ "NETTUNO: MARTIAL ARTS TOUR IL 17 MAGGIO 2009".
  41. ^ "Road cycling race in Okayama".
  42. ^ "Shin Koyamada is trained in Track and Field at OJAC in Okayama, Japan".
  43. ^ "Shin Koyamada is trained in Gymnastic".
  44. ^ "Shin Koyamada and Chuck Norris at KickStart".
  45. ^ "Speacial appearance by Shin Koyamada for the Japan America Society".
  46. ^ "NFL Players & ESPN seek to raise awareness of the Democratic Republic of the Congo".
  47. ^ "Christmas for Congo at Pasadena Country Club".
  48. ^ "The Shin Koyamada Foundation".
  49. ^ "The mission of the Shin Koyamada Foundation".
  50. ^ "The programs of the Shin Koyamada Foundation".
  51. ^ "Shin Koyamada speaks Mandarin in Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior".
  52. ^ "嶋津家臣団".
  53. ^ "The Koyamada Castle in Satsuma Domain".
  54. ^ "Koyamada's Samurai family lineage".
  55. ^ "Satsuma domains plays one of the most powerful role in the meiji Restoration".
  56. ^ "Entertainment Weekly: Shin Koyamada at World Martial Arts Masters Expo 05'".

External links

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