Shin Koyamada

Infobox actor
name = Shin Koyamada
小山田 真


imagesize =
caption =
birthdate = birth date and age|1982|3|10
location =
yearsactive = 2002 - present
height = 5'9" (175 cm)
deathdate =
deathplace =
birthname = 小山田 真
"Koyamada Shin"
othername =
genre =
website = http://www.shinkoyamada.com/
notable role = Nobutada - "The Last Samurai"
Shen - ""
academyawards =

Shin Koyamada (Japanese: 小山田 真 "Koyamada Shin"; born on March 10, 1982 in Japan) is a Japanese and American film actor, producer, Philanthropist, and respected martial artist. Shin has been in Los Angeles, United States since the year 2000. He speaks fluent Japanese and English. He became best known to global audiences after his co-starring roles in WB's epic "The Last Samurai" and Disney Channel Original Movie series "". He is noted for his very remarkable skill in various martial arts styles. [cite web|url=http://www.shinkoyamada.com | title=Shin Koyamada's remarkable martial arts skills]

Family and name

Shin Koyamada is a direct descendant of the samurai in Kagoshima 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 Restoration and in the government of the Meiji Period which followed. [cite web|url=http://www.satsuma.ne.jp/myhome/kawamoto/satu1_7.html | title=Shin Koyamada's ancestor in Kagoshima, Japan in 14th Century]

His first name "真" as "Shin" means "Truth" in Japanese

Early life and education

Koyamada's love of American and Hong Kong action movies began as a small boy at his father's side. [cite web|url=http://www.moviemaker.com/directing/article/actions_back_2994/ | title=Shin Koyamada's love of American and Hong Kong films in his childhood] Despite the disapproval of family and friends, he was determined to see this dream realized. [cite web|url=http://www.moviemaker.com/directing/article/actions_back_2994/ | title=Shin Koyamada's love of American and Hong Kong films in his childhood] At an early age, he directed all of his energy to physical training in gymnastics as a team captain, track, triathlon. [cite web|url=http://lastsamurai.warnerbros.com/index.php?c=3&p=12| title=Shin Koyamada's physical training] His decision to pursue his dream in Hollywood was already made by 15. [cite web|url=http://www.shinkoyamada.com| title=Shin Koyamada's determination to pursue his dream in Hollywood]

Hollywood

Acting career

Early Work (2000-2002)

In September 2000, Koyamada came to Hollywood alone, not knowing anyone, having no place to stay, and not knowing how to speak in English. [cite web|url=http://www.moviemaker.com/directing/article/actions_back_2994/| title=Shin Koyamada came to Hollywood all by himself.] He studied English with a tutor for six months, enrolled at Los Angeles City College, in the Theater Academy, and secured a student visa. [cite web|url=http://www.moviemaker.com/directing/article/actions_back_2994/| title=Shin Koyamada enrolled in English classes and began a strict regimen of language instruction.]

Building an acting career with little money, no agent, manager or other Hollywood connections is an extremely difficult accomplishment. [cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/shin-koyamada/person/273249/biography.html| title=Shin Koyamada had no connections in Hollywood when he came to Los Angeles] 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. [cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/shin-koyamada/person/273249/biography.html| title=Shin Koyamada appeared in Coriolanus and choreographed stage combat in the play] He made a brief guest appearance on "Power Rangers Wild Force"imdb name|id=1259103|name=Shin Koyamada] in 2002. His first movie work was a short film called "A Ninja Pays Half My Rent"imdb name|id=1259103|name=Shin Koyamada] .

Breakout Performance (2003-2004)

Submitting himself for various projects via an Internet casting site, and landed his debut feature film role in "The Last Samurai"imdb name|id=1259103|name=Shin Koyamada] . 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, United States, and New Zealand for almost 8 months, he added Kyūdō (Japanese Archery) and Yabusame to his repertoire [cite web|url=http://movies.about.com/cs/thelastsamurai/a/smkw120103.htm| title=Shin Koyamad takes serious training in Kyudo and Yabusame] .Koyamada also homed in on his acting skills with the help 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 the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and the National Board of Review.

Teen Audience (2005-2007)

In 2006, Shin starred in the action/adventure/drama Disney Channel Original Movie "" with Brenda Song as Shen, an Undercover Buddhist Monk, who has an important mission with Wendy in the United Statesimdb name|id=1259103|name=Shin Koyamada] . Shin spoke not only in English from the beginning to the end of the movie, but also a bit of Mandarin. [cite web|url=http://imdb.com/title/tt0790781/trivia| title=Shin Koyamada speaks little bit of Mandarin in the movie] The entire movie was shot in Auckland, New Zealand. [cite web|url=http://imdb.com/title/tt0790781/trivia| title=Wendy Wu was entirely shot in Auckland, New Zealand] is currently the eighth highest viewed Disney Channel Original Movie with over 5.7 million viewers on the night of its premiere [cite web|url=http://multichannel.com/article/CA6408870.html| title=Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior had over 5.7 million viewers on the night of it's premiere, making it currently the eighth highest viewed DCOM] ] and also received the highest rating in the history of Disney Channel Japan. [cite web|url=wkp.fresheye.com/wikipedia/小山田真| title=Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior has received the highest rating in the history of Disney Channel Japan] ]

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 Sprouseimdb name|id=1259103|name=Shin Koyamada] . In the following year, he was also in "Disney Channel Games2007 and on the Yellow Team along with Kyle Massey (Captain), Emily Osment, Jason Dolley, and Sabrina Bryan [cite web|url=http://imdb.com/title/tt1051930/| title=Shin Koyamada participates in Disney Channel Games 2007] .

Shin played a lead role in the 20th Century Fox feature film "Constellation" as Yoshito, director by Jordan Walker-Pearlman with Gabrielle Union, and Billy Dee Williamsimdb name|id=1259103|name=Shin Koyamada] . In 2007, Shin starred in the action/drama movie "Good Soil".

Current Projects (2008-Present)

Shin was in "Disney Channel Games" 2008 and on the Blue Team along with Kiely Williams, Cole Sprouse,and Demi Lovato. He has received "The Disney Channel Sportsmanship Award" at Disney Channel Games 2008.

Shin 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). He will play Sam Goldman.

"Variety" "Japan" is currently distributing his weekly column at their official site to help bridge the entertainment industry between Japan and USA. [cite web|url=http://varietyjapan.com/column/koyamada/u3eqp3000001y4u5.html| title=Variety Japan is publishing Shin Koyamada's weekly column]

Shin and Brenda Song will star in a sequel to "". [cite web|url=http://www.movieweb.com/tv/news/51/23551.php| title=Shin Koyamada and Brenda Song will star in a sequel to Disney Channel Original Movie Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior]

He is represented by "Jim Kellem and Associates" (JKA)

Japan

In WB's epic film "The Last Samurai", 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.

Disney Channel Original Movie "" received 5.7 Millions viewers at the night of its premiere in the US and also became the highest rating in the history of Disney Channel Japan at its premiere in Japan among other Disney Channel Original Movies such as High School Musical and The Cheetah Girls. Although he has spoken in English and some Mandarin in the movie, he dubbed his entire role in Japanese as well as his part in the Disney Channel Games TV series under a guidance of The Walt Disney Company Japan. Uniquely, Shin has appeared in the Disney Channel Games as the "Japanese Representative" for two consecutive years in 2007 and 2008, though he is a US resident.

Shin starred and received the title of executive producer in the Japanese full feature documentary show" Wine Road of the Samurai" (2006), nationally distributed by Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) and other 28 affiliated TV stations in Japan.imdb name|id=1259103|name=Shin Koyamada] Also, he has studied the basic of French and Arabic in the documentary movie. [cite web|url=http://imdb.com/title/tt0475427/| title=Shin Koyamada speaks little bit of French and Arabic in the movie]

Philanthropist

As part of Disney Channel Games 2008, the team Shin was representing for has granted a donation to the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation, which was founded by Steven Spielberg.

Shin also has been a supporter of "KICKSTART", which was founded by a Hollywood Action Star Chuck Norris in 1990. He has toured and given motivational activities and positive speeches in numerous Elementary and Junior high schools in Houston, Texas as well as hospitals and schools throughout Japan.

He also supports a nonprofit organization"The Shin Koyamada Foundation" (also know as 'SKF'), which was established in the United States. Under SKF, the organization has supported numerous cultural activities and events in the US.

Shin has supported competing in "Taranaki Cycle Challenging" with the Former Cycling Champion in the city of New Plymouth, New Zealand and awarded a "Golden Key to the City" by Peter Tennent, a mayor of New Plymouth, New Zealand.

He was honored and awarded a "Gold Medal" for supporting a Mexican community by the Mexican Government in 2005.

Martial Arts Community

Shin has been a keen young supporter of martial arts community along with other martial arts instructors in the United States, Japan, and other countries. He was awarded at World Martial Arts Masters Expo, which co-hosted by a President/COO of Warner Bros, Alan Horn and a President of CBS Studios, Michale Klausman in January 14, 2005. He was featured in a cover of Black Belt Magazine in 2004.

He also supports numerous martial arts schools and organization in Chinese community, Japanese community, Korean community and other cultural communities in the United States and also a Shaolin Temple in China.

Martial arts and sports

By 16, he began to study karate, in which he was awarded a black belt [cite web|url=http://www.keishinkan-karate.com/home.htm| title=Shin Koyamad receives a Black Belt in Karate in Japan] . 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. He has also studied in Aikido, Judo, and Kendo in Japan. He has competed in various National Karate Championships in Japan during in 1997 to 2000. Koyamada currently holds san-dan (third degree) black belt in traditional Karate.

In Chinese martial arts, Koyamada is trained in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, Wing Chun, and Shaolin Gung Fu. He specializes in a double broadsword among other 18 Chinese classical weapons in Shaolin Kung Fu. He has also competed in six U.S National Martial arts Tournaments over five months and winning first place in all but one, and that was a second. [cite web|url=http://www.harmoniousfist.com/photostournaments.html| title=Shin Koyamada became US national Champion in Shaolin Kung Fu]

In Korean martial arts, Koyamada has studied in Tae Kwon Do, which he earned a black belt and Kung Jung Mu Sul in the United States.

Martial Arts Championship

* 2000 — 4th Jade Mountain Kung Fu Grand Championship: broadsword form gold medal, optional empty-hand form silver medal;

* 2000 — USA National WuShu Kung Fu Championship: broadsword form gold medal, optional empty-hand form gold medal;

* 2001 — World Karate Championship: Double broadsword form silver medal, optional empty-hand form silver medal;

* 2001 — 19th Annual Karate Championship: broadsword form gold medal, optional empty-hand form gold medal;

* 2001 — San Diego Grand National Championship: Double broadsword form gold medal, optional empty-hand form gold medal;

All his optional empty-hand form medals were won with a form called "Bot Bo" (抜歩, Northern Shaolin #8; Shuffle Steps).

ports

At age 7, Koyamada begun training in road bicycle racing and competing in the various competitions in Japan.At age 9, Koyamada begun receiving formal training in Track and Field in the elementary school and officially joined "Okayama Junior Track and Field Association" in the same year in Okayama. He specialized in the "100 m and 200 m sprint". From 1997 to 2000, Koyamada has served as a team captain in gymnastics and competed in the city and prefecture tournaments of Okayama, Japan for three consecutive years. He specialized in the "Floor Exercise", "Parallel Bars", and "Rings".

Filmography

References

External links

* [http://www.shinkoyamada.com/ ShinKoyamada.com] - Shin Koyamada's Official English Website
* [http://www.shinkoyamada.jp/ ShinKoyamada.jp] - Shin Koyamada's Official Japanese Website
* [http://www.koyamadafoundation.org KoyamadaFoundation.org] - The Shin Koyamada Foundation 501(c)(3)
* [http://varietyjapan.com/column/koyamada/u3eqp3000001y4u5.html VarietyJapan.com] - Shin Koyamada's official Japanese blog
*imdb name|1259103
* [http://shinkoyamada.siewpoh.com/ Shin Koyamada's fan site]

az:
bg:
cv:
fa:
ko:
he:
ka:
mr:
ne:
ru:
sr:
th:
tg:
yi:
zh: