Sho Kosugi
Biography
Sho Kosugi, born Shōichi Kosugi on June 17 (the year is listed as 1947 in a biographical note and as 1948 on his TMDB profile), is a Japanese male martial artist and actor. He was born in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, and trained in shindō jinen‑ryū karate. Kosugi rose to prominence in the 1980s, becoming known for portraying ninja characters in film and television, and has accumulated 26 credited acting roles. He is the father of Kane Kosugi and Shane Kosugi, and it is common for his sons to appear with him in movies that feature family relationships, including Black Eagle, Revenge of the Ninja and Kabuto (also known as Shogun Warrior). After a period away from the screen, he founded a taiko drumming group in California and operates the Sho Kosugi Institute, a network of martial‑arts acting schools in Japan.
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.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Sho Kosugi.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Dahmer vs. Gacy (2010) Thanks
- Ninja Assassin (2009) as Ozunu
- The Scorpion King (2002) Choreographer
- Ninja Sentai Kakuranger (1994) as Gali
- The Fighting King (1994) Director
- The Fighting King 2 (1994) Director
- Wind of the Ryūkyū Islands (1993)
- Dark Society in the East (1993) as Larry Matsuda
- Journey of Honor (1991) as Daigoro Mayeda
- Journey of Honor (1991) Writer
- Journey of Honor (1991) Producer
- Blind Fury (1989) as The Assassin
- Black Eagle (1988) as Ken Tani
- Black Eagle (1988) Fight Choreographer
- Aloha Summer (1988) as Yukinaga Konishi
- Rage of Honor (1987) as Shiro Tanka
- Rage of Honor (1987) Fight Choreographer
- 9 Deaths of the Ninja (1985) as Spike Shinobi
- Pray for Death (1985) as Akira Saito
- The Master Ninja 5 (1985) as Okasa
- The Master (1984) as Okasa
- Ninja III: The Domination (1984) as Yamada
- Master Ninja (1984) as Okasa
- Master Ninja (1984) Stunt Coordinator
- Master Ninja (1984) Choreographer
- Master Ninja II (1984) as Okasa
- Revenge of the Ninja (1983) as Cho Osaki
- Enter the Ninja (1981) as Hasegawa
- The Bad News Bears Go to Japan (1978) as Kata Demonstrator (uncredited)
- Bruce Lee Fights Back from the Grave (1976)
- Bruce Lee Fights Back from the Grave (1976) as Suzuki (uncredited)
- The Godfather Part II (1974) as Passerby in Coat with Cap Pulled Down (uncredited)