Shin Koyamada

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

Shin Koyamada
小山田 真
Koyamada in May 2015
Born (1982-03-10) March 10, 1982
Okayama, Japan
OccupationActor, producer, philantropist
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)

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 startrd 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
2002A Ninja Pays Half My RentBlack NinjaSteven TsuchidaLead
2003The Last SamuraiNobutada MoritsuguEd ZwickLead
2006Wendy Wu: Homecoming WarriorShenJohn LaingStarring
2007ConstellationYoshitoJordan Walker-PearlmanSupporting
Good SoilJinbei MasudaCraig ShimaharaStarring
2013Heart of the DragonJohn WatanabeJeff McDonaldStarring
2018TickerSam GoldmanJames FargoStarring
ZeroKen EndoTBAStarring
Television shows & series
Year Title Role Type Notes
2002Power Rangers Wild ForceAgentDisney Channel
2004Jake 2.0Shinji MakitoViacomGuest starring
2006Disney Channel Games 2006HimselfDisney ChannelRegular
Wine Road of the SamuraiNarrator, HimselfTokyo Broadcasting SystemStarring
2007Disney Channel Games 2007HimselfDisney ChannelRegular
2008Disney Channel Games 2008HimselfDisney ChannelRegular
2010Ai No ShizukuSeinen MakibiNHKStarring
2014The Yokai KingIppei "The Yokai King"Asia PicturesStarring, title character

As producer

Year Title Role Type
2006Wine Road of the SamuraiExecutive ProducerDocumentary film
2007Good SoilExecutive ProducerShort Film
2009The DreamhoppersCreator, Executive ProducerComic book series
2012Spirit Fashion ShowCreator, Executive ProducerMiniseries
2013Spirit Earth ShowCreator, Executive ProducerMiniseries
Spirit Love ShowCreator, Executive ProducerMiniseries
Spirit Music ShowCreator, Executive ProducerMiniseries
Spirit Art ShowCreator, Executive ProducerMiniseries
Heart of the DragonCreator, ProducerShort Film
2020RebornAssociate ProducerConsole game
TickerProducerFeature Film
ZeroProducerFeature Film

References
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  2. "Disney.com - Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior".
  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.
  9. "Los Angeles City College Foundation - Distinguished Alumni".
  10. "Public Talk "Make Your Dream a Reality: My Career in Hollywood"".
  11. "Reelgood.com - Shin Koyamada Movies and TV Shows Streaming Online".
  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.
  23. "Former Disney Actor Shin Koyamada Becomes a Manga Comic Book Character".
  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".
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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".
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  46. "SHIN KOYAMADA". Creative artists japan.
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  50. "Applausi insonorizzati ma niente amministrazioni per l'evento di cui si parla in tutta Italia". Archived from the original on 2009-05-17.
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  52. "CISION - United States Martial Arts Festival 2010 Celebrated In Los Angeles".
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  54. "comics.org: The Dreamhoppers #1/2009".
  55. "Shinca Enterprise site".
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