Sho Kosugi
| Sho Kosugi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 小杉 正一 (Shōichi Kosugi) 17 June 1948 Minato, Tokyo, Japan |
| Occupation | Actor, martial artist |
| Years active | 1974–2010 |
| Spouse(s) | Shook Kosugi |
| Children | Kane Kosugi, Shane Kosugi, Ayeesha Kosugi |
| Website | http://shokosugi.net/shopro |
Sho Kosugi (翔・小杉, born Shōichi Kosugi (小杉 正一 Kosugi Shōichi?); 17 June 1948) is a Japanese martial artist with extensive training in Shindō jinen-ryū Karate, Kendo, Judo, Iaido, Kobudo, Aikido, and Ninjutsu who gained popularity as an actor during the 1980s, often playing ninjas.[1]Sho Kosugi is a man that believes and practices his profession as an actor and as a martial art grand master.He was an All Japan Karate Champion.[2][3]
At the age of 19, he left Japan to study and reside in Los Angeles where he earned a bachelor's degree in Economics at CSULA. At the same time, he consistently improved his martial arts skills while learning a wide variety of styles, such as Chinese Xing Yi Quan, Korean Tae Kwon Do, and Japanese Shitō-ryū and Shotokan-ryū Karate.[4]
He is the father of Kane and Shane Kosugi. After taking a hiatus from film, he started a taiko group in California. In Japan, he also ran an internationally oriented group of martial arts acting schools known as the Sho Kosugi Institute. He currently resides in Los Angeles. Films in which Kosugi's sons perform alongside their father include Revenge of the Ninja, Pray for Death, Black Eagle, and Journey of Honor (aka Kabuto, aka Shogun Warrior).[citation needed]
Filmography
Movies
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | The Godfather: Part II | Passerby in Coat with Cap Pulled Down | Extra |
| 1976 | Bruce Lee Fights Back from the Grave | Suzuki | Villain |
| 1978 | The Bad News Bears Go to Japan | Kata Demonstrator | Extra |
| 1981 | Enter the Ninja | Hasegawa | 3rd Lead and Villain |
| 1983 | Revenge of the Ninja | Chozen "Cho" Osaki | Lead Role and Hero |
| 1984 | Ninja III: The Domination | Yamada | Lead Role and Hero |
| 1985 | 9 Deaths of the Ninja | Spike Shinobi | Lead Role and Hero |
| Pray for Death | Akira Saito | Lead Role and Hero | |
| 1987 | Rage of Honor | Shiro Tanaka | Lead Role and Hero |
| 1988 | Aloha Summer | Yukinaga Konishi | Special Appearance |
| 1988 | Black Eagle | Ken Tani | Lead Role and Hero |
| 1989 | Blind Fury | The Assassin | Special Appearance |
| 1991 | Journey of Honor | Daigoro Mayeda | Lead Role and Hero |
| 1993 | 極東黒社会 Kyokutō Kuroshakai (Drug Connection) | Larry Matsuda | 3rd Lead and Hero |
| 1994 | ザ・格闘王 Za Kakutō Oh (The Fighting King) | Director of film | |
| ザ・格闘王２ Za Kakutō Oh 2 (The Fighting King 2) | Director of film | ||
| 2002 | The Scorpion King | Taiko Choreographer | |
| 2009 | Ninja Assassin | Ozunu | Lead Villain |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | The Master | Okasa | Lead Villain Okasa (5 episodes)/Lee Van Cleef's double (13 episodes) |
| 1993 | 琉球の風 Ryūkyū no Kaze (Dragon Spirit) | Shintenpu | Co-Star (Episodes 1,2,3,4,5,6,9,11,12,13) |
| 1993 | Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero | Voice of Ultraman Powered | Guest Star (Episode 1 - Japanese-language version only) |
| 1994 | 忍者戦隊カクレンジャー Ninja Sentai Kakuranger | Gali | Guest Star (Episodes 28-29) |
| 1996 | 聖龍伝説 Seiryū Densetsu (Legend of St. Dragon) | Shusaku Sendo | Special Appearance (Episode 7) |
Other
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Master Class | Himself | Instructional video (Martial Arts) |
| 1986 | Ninja Theater Hosted by Sho Kosugi | Himself | VHS Video Host segments (13 in all) |
| 1986 | Honda Hurricane Commercial | Ninja | TV commercial |
| 1998 | Tenchu: Stealth Assassins | Rikimaru | Video game (motion capture portrayal) |
| 2001-2002 | The Ninjas From Hollywood Japan Tour | God of War and Peace | Stage show |
