Sho Kosugi | |
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Born |
小杉 正一 (Shōichi Kosugi) June 17, 1948 Minato, Tokyo, Japan |
Occupation | Actor, martial artist |
Years active | 1974–Present |
Spouse(s) | Shook Kosugi |
Children | Kane Kosugi, Shane Kosugi, Ayeesha Kosugi |
Website | http://shokosugi.net/shopro |
Sho Kosugi しょこすぎ Shō Kosugi, born Shōichi Kosugi (小杉 正一 Kosugi Shōichi?, born June 17, 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. 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.
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.
He is the father of Kane and Shane Kosugi, who are both actors and martial artists; and Ayeesha Kosugi, who is a senior member of the women's golf team at the University of Las Vegas. 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 (a.k.a. Kabuto, a.k.a. Shogun Warrior).