Shin Koyamada

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Shin Koyamada
小山田 真
Koyamada in Malibu May 2015.jpg
Koyamada in May 2015
Born (1982-03-10) March 10, 1982 (age 39)
Okayama, Japan
OccupationActor, producer, philanthropist
Years active1998-present (martial arts)
2001-present (acting)
2004-present (philanthropy)
2005-present (producing)
OrganizationShinca Entertainment
Known forThe Last Samurai
TelevisionWendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior
Board member ofKoyamada International Foundation
Spouse(s)Nia Lyte
WebsiteShinKoyamada.com
Koyamada.org (KIF)
@ShinKoyamada (Twitter)
@ShinKoyamada (Facebook)
@Shin_Koyamada (Instagram)

Shin Koyamada (小山田 真, Koyamada Shin, born March 10, 1982) is a Japanese actor, producer and philanthropist.

Koyamada is best known for his roles in The Last Samurai[1] and the Disney Channel original movie Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior.[2]

Koyamada is also known for his philanthropic efforts in youth leadership, humanitarian aid, gender equality, subnational diplomacy and SDGs, through Koyamada International Foundation (KIF).[3][4] Koyamada is the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics Ambassador for Karate.[5]

Koyamada holds black belts in Japanese and Korean martial arts, and has also won U.S. national championships in Chinese martial arts. Koyamada immigrated from Japan to the United States in June 2000.[6]

Early life[]

Koyamada was born in Okayama, Japan. His family is descended from Kagenori Koyamada of the Koyamada clan, a Samurai clan.[7] In high school, Koyamada was team captain in gymnastics and competed in the Okayama Prefecture tournament for three years. He also enrolled in a Karate school, his first martial arts experience. He graduated from Ichinomiya high school in Okayama in March 2000.

Move to the United States[]

On June 11, 2000, Koyamada moved to the United States to further his studies. He enrolled in the ESL program at the University of California, Riverside.[8] Later that year, he studied at Los Angeles City College, and began taking acting lessons.[9]

Hollywood career[]

2000-2001: Early work[]

Starting in 2000, Koyamada auditioned for many commercials and acted in student films and music videos. He also booked national commercials for Disneyland, Apple Computer and JC Penney.[10] In 2001, Koyamada choreographed and performed martial arts forms and stage combat in a production of Shakespeare's Coriolanus for the Knightsbridge Theater in Pasadena. Koyamada also made a brief guest appearance in Power Rangers Wild Force and co-starred in the award-winning American short comedy film A Ninja Pays Half My Rent.[11]

2002-2004: The Last Samurai and breakthrough[]

Koyamada's debut film role was in the hit film The Last Samurai (2003), co-starring as Nobutada, a son of Ken Watanabe's character Katsumoto and a young Samurai who befriends Algren, played by Tom Cruise. His character became known for the iconic lines "Jolly Good" and "No Mind".[12] The film grossed $456 million at the box office and was nominated for several Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and National Board of Review Awards.[13]

2005-2009: Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior and producing[]

In 2006, Koyamada starred alongside Brenda Song in the Disney Channel's Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior, which become one of the highest rated original movies on the channel. The film also broke records in the United Kingdom and Europe.[14] From 2006 to 2008, Koyamada was a regular in the Disney Channel Games.[15]

In late 2005, Koyamada and his wife Nia Lyte formed production company Shinca Entertainment to develop and produce a television and live streaming talk show The Nia Lyte Show (2006). In Japan, Koyamada starred in and executive produced the Japanese documentary film Wine Road of the Samurai.[16]

In 2007, Koyamada starred in and produced the short film Good Soil.[17] Koyamada next appeared in the 20th Century Fox drama Constellation (2007).[18]

In 2009, Koyamada partnered with Travis Moore and Nia Lyte to form comics company Laizen Comics.[19][20][21][22] Koyamada, Moore and Lyte created The Dreamhoppers (2010), which was published and distributed by Laizen Comics to independent comic book stores throughout the United States .[23]

2010-present: Exploring Asia and production expansion[]

Koyamada continued to explore working in Japan and starred in the Japanese stage production Ai No Shizuku.[24] He also starred in and produced the film Heart of the Dragon (2013).[25] Koyamada also produced a multi-part television and web series comprising Spirit Fashion Show (2013), Spirit Art Show (2013), Spirit Music Show (2013), Spirit Love Show (2013) and Spirit Earth Show (2014), with Claudia Hallowell and Nia Lyte and distributed by Spirit Show Network.[26]

Upcoming projects[]

Koyamada has starred in and produced an American feature film The Yokai King. The film is expected to be released internationally in 2021.

Through Shinca Entertainment, Koyamada has developed and produced other comic book series and digital stickers for a mobile chatting system. He has also been developing numerous action films, Japanese-style animation and mobile games.[27][28]

Philanthropic work[]

Koyamada is known for various global philanthropic efforts.[29] Koyamada and his wife founded an international non-governmental organization Koyamada International Foundation (KIF) to improve quality of people's lives by empowering global youth and women, and providing humanitarian aid to promote world peace and sustainable development.

Ambassadorships[]

Koyamada has been appointed as an U.S. Department of State Cultural Envoy and a Japan-America Society Southern California Special Ambassador.[30] Koyamada has been appointed to several goodwill ambassadorships in Japan, including Okayama Perfecture Tourism Ambassador in 2010, Kyoto Tourism Ambassador in 2012[31][32] and 2020 Tokyo Olympics Karate Ambassador.

Youth leadership and international education[]

Koyamada speaking at Seinan Gakuin University in Fukuoka, Japan

Koyamada has been invited by the U.S. Embassy Tokyo in 2011 to lecture to Japanese students in five different cities to promote international education.[33][34]

Since 2015, Koyamada has given lectures at both private and national universities in Japan, including Kansai University, Ritsumeikan University, Kindai University, Seinan Gakuin University, Okayama University, Okinawa International University and Miyazaki Municipal University.

In late 2019, Koyamada spoke at Mount Kenya University in Nairobi, Kenya.[35] In February 2020, Embassy of the United States, Moscow and its consulates invited Koyamada to be a keynote speaker.[36]

Humanitarian aid[]

Since 2008, Koyamada has assisted homeless people in Los Angeles through KIF's program in providing foods and drinks. In response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Koyamada led fundraising efforts in California and donated to three affected Prefectures of Japan. Koyamada also shipped 20-foot containers filled with basic necessities directly to victims.[37] He has also assisted a number of natural disasters, including the 2018 Japan floods.

Subnational diplomacy[]

In July 2017, Koyamada became the first Japanese National Board of Directors of Sister Cities International (SCI).[38] He led global initiatives on engaging global youth. In 2019, he created the Japan-Texas Leaderships Symposium, a bilateral business and cultural event.[39][40]

Martial arts community[]

Koyamada is also well known in the international martial arts community for supporting martial arts organizations and activities.[41] His first martial arts experience was when he took physical education class in Judo in middle school.

1998-2000: Early development[]

By 16, Koyamada began to study Keishinkan Karate.[42] In 1998, he competed in a national Karate Championship in Nagano. In 1999, he fought again at the same championship, and was awarded to his first Degree Black Belt skipped directly from a White Belt.[43]

2000-2004: Training in Kung Fu and national champion[]

After relocating to Los Angeles in 2000, he gave private karate lessons for a few months. He began training in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu with the Harmonious Fist Chinese Athletic Association.[44][45] Koyamada specialized in the empty hand form Bot Bo (拔步) and double broadsword.[46] In 2001 and 2002, Koyamada competed in six U.S national martial arts competitions in several major cities, including San Diego, Las Vegas, San Francisco.[47] In 2004, Koyamada was featured on the cover of Black Belt Magazine.

2005-2015: Further studies and martial arts festival[]

In 2005, Koyamada earned san-dan (third degree) Black Belt in traditional Keishinkan Karate. He also begun studying Iaijutsu, a Japanese combative quick-draw sword technique, an art of drawing the Japanese sword, katana, and one of the Japanese koryū martial art disciplines in the education of the Samurai.

Koyamada also started training in Korean martial arts Tae Kwon Do. After a year of training, he earned a first degree black belt, and eventually a second degree black belt.[48] In 2007, Koyamada began studying in Korea's Royal Court Martial Arts, for which he was certified as a 1st Degree Black Belt in 2009.[49] In 2009, he performed traditional Japanese swordsmanship at the Martial Arts Tour held in Nettuno, Italy.[50]

In 2010 and 2011, he founded the United States Martial Arts Festival (USMAF), held in Redondo Beach, California.[51] At USMAF, world renowned martial arts masters and youth performed different styles such as Karate, Shaolin Kung Fu, Krav Maga, Capoera, MMA, Tae Kwon Do, Shorinji Kempo, American Kenpo, Boxing, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and others.[52]

2016-present: Karate for 2020 Tokyo Olympics[]

In 2016, Koyamada was appointed as Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics Karate Ambassador as part of an ongoing efforts to include Karate into the additional Olympics Games and to promote Karate internationally. In August 2016, the International Olympic Committee approved Karate as an Olympic sport for the first time in its history, beginning at the 2020 Summer Olympics. In 2017, he attended as a special guest for the first Emperor's Cup and Empress's Cup All Japan Karate Championship at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo.

Entrepreneurship[]

Production company[]

In 2005, Koyamada formed a production company Shinca Entertainment, based in Burbank, California.[53] The company has since produced content, including the comic book series The Dreamhoppers under various brands.[54]

International consulting[]

In 2012, Koyamada established Shinca Enterprise, a consulting firm to bridge American startup companies in Japan and South America. In 2017, the company's clients include a wide range of businesses such as agriculture, technology, retail, energy, mining, sports, foods and entertainment industries.[55]

Personal life[]

Koyamada is married to Carolina Manrique (known professionally as Nia Lyte), a Colombian-American producer.

Filmography[]

As actor

Movies
Year Title Role Director Notes
2002 A Ninja Pays Half My Rent Black Ninja Steven Tsuchida Lead
2003 The Last Samurai Nobutada Moritsugu Ed Zwick Lead
2006 Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior Shen John Laing Starring
2007 Constellation Yoshito Jordan Walker-Pearlman Supporting
Good Soil Jinbei Masuda Craig Shimahara Starring
2013 Heart of the Dragon John Watanabe Jeff McDonald Starring
2018 Ticker Sam Goldman James Fargo Starring
Zero Ken Endo TBA Starring
Television shows & series
Year Title Role Type Notes
2002 Power Rangers Wild Force Agent Disney Channel
2004 Jake 2.0 Shinji Makito Viacom Guest starring
2006 Disney Channel Games 2006 Himself Disney Channel Regular
Wine Road of the Samurai Narrator, Himself Tokyo Broadcasting System Starring
2007 Disney Channel Games 2007 Himself Disney Channel Regular
2008 Disney Channel Games 2008 Himself Disney Channel Regular
2010 Ai No Shizuku Seinen Makibi NHK Starring
2014 The Yokai King Ippei "The Yokai King" Asia Pictures Starring, title character

As producer

Year Title Role Type
2006 Wine Road of the Samurai Executive Producer Documentary film
2007 Good Soil Executive Producer Short Film
2009 The Dreamhoppers Creator, Executive Producer Comic book series
2012 Spirit Fashion Show Creator, Executive Producer Miniseries
2013 Spirit Earth Show Creator, Executive Producer Miniseries
Spirit Love Show Creator, Executive Producer Miniseries
Spirit Music Show Creator, Executive Producer Miniseries
Spirit Art Show Creator, Executive Producer Miniseries
Heart of the Dragon Creator, Producer Short Film
2020 Reborn Associate Producer Console game
Ticker Producer Feature Film
Zero Producer Feature Film

References[]

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  3. ^ "United Nations Population Fund - Leveling the Playing Field - Sports for Inclusion and Equality".
  4. ^ "New partnership between ECW & KIF Global".
  5. ^ "空手アンバサダーに小山田 真さんが新たに就任".
  6. ^ "Sister Cities International @ SisterCities.org - Shin Koyamada".
  7. ^ "descendent of a samurai clan of Japan".
  8. ^ "Action's Back". Archived from the original on 2008-01-06.
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  12. ^ "Tumbral - #Nobutada Tumblr posts".
  13. ^ ""The Last Samurai" Premiere: Interviews with Ken Watanabe and Shin Koyamada".
  14. ^ Steinberg, Jacques (June 15, 2006). "Brenda Song Turns Warrior in Disney's 'Wendy Wu'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
  15. ^ "whyville.net - Review: The Disney Channel Games".
  16. ^ "Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) official website".
  17. ^ "Good Soil - Christian Movie, Christian Film, DVD Shin Koyamada". Christian Movie/Film Database.
  18. ^ "Constellation Movie Trailers". Movie-List.com.
  19. ^ Moore, Travis (2009). "Laizen Comics: The Dreamhoppers #1". Laizen Comics. Retrieved 2009. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  20. ^ Moore, Travis (January 23, 2013). "DC Comics: SWORD OF SORCERY #4". DC Comics. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  21. ^ Moore, Travis (February 6, 2013). "DC Comics: WONDER WOMAN: ODYSSEY VOL. 2". DC Comics. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  22. ^ Moore, Travis (October 6, 2010). "DC Comics: FREEDOM FIGHTERS #2". DC Comics. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
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  24. ^ "Shin Koyamada in Japan's largest National Cultural Festival, Okayama 2010（おかやま国文祭".
  25. ^ "Heart of the Dragon at IMDB.com".
  26. ^ "Spirit series at the official site of the Spirit Show Network".
  27. ^ "Shin Koyamada - Entertainment News, Players, Media - Variety".
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  29. ^ "Sister Cities International Elects Shin Koyamada, Actor and Philanthropist, to Board of Directors".
  30. ^ "Japan America Society - JAS Ambassadors Circle".
  31. ^ "The Kyoto Ambassadors of Kyoto City" (PDF).
  32. ^ "京都おもてなし情報館 京都国際観光大使".
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  34. ^ ""Hollywood Night" Raises over $22 Thousand for TOMODACHI Initiative".
  35. ^ "Kenya joins 'The Last Samurai' movie star's global foundation".
  36. ^ ""U.S. Education Week" Achieving the Impossible: a conversation with Shin Koyamada".
  37. ^ "U.S. Martial Arts Festival in Redondo Beach".
  38. ^ "About Sister Cities International".
  39. ^ "U.S. CULCON News".
  40. ^ "City of San Antonio - News & Events".
  41. ^ "metacritic.com".
  42. ^ "SHIN KOYAMADA'S INAUGURAL 2nd ANNUAL UNITED STATES MARTIAL ARTS FESTIVAL".
  43. ^ "KEI SHIN KAN KARATE-DO USA". Archived from the original on 2007-04-02.
  44. ^ "U.S. CULCON News".
  45. ^ "Shin Koyomada: LAST SAMURAI to Last Monk in WENDY WU".
  46. ^ "SHIN KOYAMADA". Creative artists japan.
  47. ^ "SHIN KOYAMADA". Creative artists japan.
  48. ^ "3rd degree black belt: Shin Koyamada in Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior".
  49. ^ "Japan America Society of Southern California".
  50. ^ "Applausi insonorizzati ma niente amministrazioni per l'evento di cui si parla in tutta Italia". Archived from the original on 2009-05-17.
  51. ^ "BUDO: United States Martial Arts Festival 2011".
  52. ^ "CISION - United States Martial Arts Festival 2010 Celebrated In Los Angeles".
  53. ^ "SisterCities.org - Shin Koyamada".
  54. ^ "comics.org: The Dreamhoppers #1/2009".
  55. ^ "Shinca Enterprise site".

External links[]

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