Shin Koyamada
Shin Koyamada | |
|---|---|
| File:Shin11.JPG Shin Koyamada in 2006 | |
| Born | Shin Koyamada 小山田真 |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Website | shinkoyamada.com |
Shin Koyamada (Japanese: 小山田真; born on March 10, 1982 in Japan) is a film actor, producer and martial artist. Shin has been living in Los Angeles in the United States since the year 2000. He speaks fluent Japanese and English. He is from a new breed of young actors out of Asia (Japan) that has gained a large following of swooning fans all over the world. He is noted for his remarkable skill in various martial arts styles and nice-guy, heart-throb persona.
Early life
Shin Koyamada's love of American and Hong Kong action movies began as a small boy at his father (Yuichi Koyamada)'s side. His love has grown and matured into the dream of action stardom. 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.
By 16, he began to study karate. Within 18 months, Shin was given an ultimate test accumulated knowledge and skills. He excelled and was awarded a black belt. 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.
Hollywood
In September 2000, Koyamada came to Hollywood alone, not knowing anyone, having no place to stay and not knowing how to speak in English. He studied English with a tutor for six months, enrolled at Los Angeles City College, in the Theater Academy, and secured a student visa.
Koyamada trained in Shaolin Kung Fu, including various weapons like a film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with the Harmonious Fist Chinese Athletic Association, eventually, competing in six U.S National Martial Arts Tournaments over five months and winning first place in all but one, and that was a second. Koyamada continues to train with several teachers, including some of the industries top stunt coordinators, mastering his skills and adding to his craft.
Building an acting career with little money, no agent, manager or other Hollywood connections is an extremely difficult accomplishment. To gain experience and a portfolio, Shin 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. He was featured in the Disney Channel's children action show Power Rangers. His first movie work was a short film called A Ninja Pays Half My Rent.
Koyamada followed the path of those who had inspired him, icons like Bruce Lee and action stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
Submitting himself for various projects via an Internet casting site, and landed his debut feature film role in The Last Samurai. Co-starring opposite Tom Cruise in the Warner Brothers epic as Nobutada, friend to Cruise's character, Algren, a fierce archer, double swordsman, and a Samurai. While filming The Last Samurai in Japan and New Zealand, he added Kyudo (Japanese Archery) and Yabusame to his repertoire.
Now a double swordsman, master of Karate, Shaolin Kung Fu, and Tae Kwon Do. Koyamada also honed in on his acting skills with the help Director/Producer Edward Zwick and Actor/Producer Tom Cruise. Making the most of a powerful debut.
Shin apeared in the 20th Century Fox feature film Constellation as Yoshito, Director by Jordan Walker-Pearlman with Gabrielle Union, and Billy Dee Williams.
Shin was in the first ever Disney Channel Games on the Red Team along with Zac Efron, Kay Panabaker, Anneliese van der Pol, Moises Arias, and Dylan Sprouse.
In 2006, Shin 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. Shin spoke not only in English from the beginning to the end of the movie, but also a bit of Mandarin. The entire movie was shot in Auckland, New Zealand.
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
| 2006 | Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior | Shen | First Starring Role |
| 2006 | Disney Channel Games | Himself | Red Team |
| 2006 | Wine Road of the Samurai (ワイン大国を夢見た男達 ～侍達のワインロード～ | Narrator | Also, Executive Producer |
| 2006 | Constellation | Yoshito | Lead |
| 2004 | Jake 2.0 | Shinji Makito | (one episode) |
| 2003 | The Last Samurai | Nobutada | Co-Starring |
| 2003 | A Ninja Pays Half My Rent | Black Ninja | |
| 2001 | Power Rangers Wild Force | Agent |
Martial Arts
- Is six-time consecutive U.S. National Champion in Shaolin Kung Fu in the United States
- Holds sam-dan (third degree) Black Belt in Karate
- Holds ee-dan (second degree) Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do
- Skilled in Aikido, Iaido, Judo, Kendo
Connection with Samurai
Shin Koyamada is a direct descendant of the samurai, Kesataro Koyamada (小山田袈裟太郎） who was a member of an elite Samurai clan in the Satsuma domain（Satsuma Han 薩摩藩) which was one of the most powerful feudal domains in Tokugawa Japan, and played a major role in the Meiji and in the government of the Meiji Period which followed.
Language
- Fluent in Japanese and English
- Speaks Mandarin in a feature film Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior.
- Learning Spanish and Mandarin
- Skilled in learning different languages in a short time
Trivia
- Shin dubbed his entire role in Disney Channel Original Movie Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior in Japanese
- Living in Los Angeles since 2000
- His first name '真' as 'Shin' means 'Truth' in Japanese
- Has a younger brother living in Japan named 'Jun'
- Was cast a role of Nobutada in The Last Samurai in Los Angeles in 2002
- Discovered his ancestor was real Samurai living in Kagoshima, Japan
- His Film/TV production company called 'Shinca Productions' is located in Warner Brothers Building in Burbank, California
- Was a cover of Black Belt Magazine in January 2004
Favorites
- Color: Blue, Green, Black
- Sports: Gymnastics, Tennis, Triathlon
- Style of Music: many kinds
- Food: Chinese food, Thai food, Vietnamese food
- Foreign countries like to visit: England, Italy, China
Interviews
- Asiance Magazine Interview
- Kung Fu Magazine Interview
- MovieMaker Magazine Interview
- Audrey Magazine Interview
- About.com Interveiw