Sho Kosugi

Career overview

Sho Kosugi, born Shōichi Kosugi on June 17 in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, is a Japanese martial artist trained in shindō jinen‑ryū karate who became a well‑known actor in the 1980s. During that decade he achieved popularity by frequently portraying ninja characters, a niche that defined his screen persona. His film work includes collaborations with his sons, Kane Kosugi and Shane Kosugi, in titles such as Black Eagle, Revenge of the Ninja and Kabuto (also known as Shogun Warrior), where the family relationship is reflected in the plot.

After a period away from the film industry, Kosugi shifted his focus to cultural pursuits, founding a taiko drumming group in California. He also established the Sho Kosugi Institute in Japan, an internationally oriented network of martial‑arts acting schools that trains performers in the integration of combat techniques and screencraft. Throughout his career, Kosugi’s contributions have spanned both performance and instruction, linking his martial‑arts expertise with his enduring presence in action cinema.