Talk:Hiroyuki Sanada
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I note, on several other webpages, that Sanada is an honourary Member of the British Empire for his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Anyone know somewhere to check this? --Trithemius 06:22, August 3, 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Sanada Online Fan Community
Much of Sanda-san's professional career is documented in various fan sites. A google search will turn up dozens of them. One of the most comprehensive is http://hiroyukisanada.com/ There is an extensive cache of video clips from movies and from the RSC production of "King Lear" in which he played the Fool. This is the performance that got him the Birthday Honours. The Lear video clip I saw was astounding. I had never seen him speak English before, let alone Elizabethan English. I wish I could have seen this production.
The Wikipedia stub barely scratches the surface of his career. I think it would be safe to say he's the hardest working actor in Japanese movies. He's been doing this since he was 17. I think the most extraordinary thing about him is that he's a character actor who has remained true to his craft and not succumbed to the sort of celebrity status that requires him to look exactly the same in every movie. Even though he has been a leading man and a male ingenue, his range is too broad for him to get pigeon-holed as any one sort of character. He's always a pleasure to watch even in cheesy movies. And he still does live theatre. 24.13.104.245 06:31, 24 December 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Another Biography
Hiroyuki Sanada was born Hiroyuki Shimosawa in Tokyo on October 12, 1960. At the age of 5, he began to model for magzine covers. He also appeared in his first movie with Shinichi (Sonny) Chiba, who later would become his mentor. In the meantime, Sanada attends school, and then at the age of 13, he joins Chiba's Japan Action Club (JAC) to begin learning horseback riding, the martial arts, jazz and traditional Japanese Dance. After graduating from Horikoshi Gakuen High School for "talento", or gifted children, he makes his debut with Sonny Chiba in "Yagyu Ichizoku no Inbo" which catapults him into an illustrious career as an action star in samurai and ninja movies in the 70's and 80's. Sanada also appeared in many stage plays with JAC, including "Big River" and various other musicals. He eventually wins an award for "Little Shop of Horrors" in 1987.
In 1982, Sanada san graduated from Nihon University of Art, majoring in Film. He then appeared in a famous action film titled "Shogun's Ninja" with Sonny Chiba. His career takes off in the 80's, with more and more dramatic roles. He appears in a tragic love tale "Dotonborigawa" (Lover's Lost) and Mahjong Horoki (Mahjong Vagrant Life); and in several Hong Kong features, including the famous "Royal Warriors" with Michelle Yeoh. Sanada also released several albums in the 80's and toured Japan in rock concerts.
Over the years, Sanada is recognized as an "actor's actor", with various roles in movies, TV dramas, notably a favorite movie among his legion of fans, "Shinjuku Zame" ("Detective Zame"); and the dramas "Hero Interview", "Tabloid", "Konna Koi no Hanashi" and many others. In 2000, the Royal Shakespeare Company cast him as "The Fool" in "King Lear", alongside the great Sir. Nigel Hawthorne. For his performance and his bringing his cultural heritage and diversity to the London stage he was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) from the Queen of England. He had also played "Hamlet" previously in Japan and London. Sanada is the recipient of five Japan Academy Awards, most recently for his portrayal of a widowed father in "Tasogare Seibei" ("The Twilight Samurai"). The movie was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the American Academy Awards (2004), but alas, didn't win.
Sanada stars as "Ujio" in "The Last Samurai". It is this movie that has gained him accolades internationally, and new fans worldwide. Sanada's most current works are Aimless Aegis, WuJi, White Countess, which have now been released for showing. Still to be released are The Sunshine Project, The City of Your Final Destination and Rush Hour 3.--Jamhin4 03:04, 30 December 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Martial arts
Does anyone know exactly what kind of martial arts Sanada has done? I'm assuming he's done Kendo and/or Iaido but I wasn't sure. Siyavash 01:20, 8 April 2007 (UTC)
Iaido, karate, aikido and kendo are only some of those he has learned, at least partly. I know he has a black belt in karate. Menecairiel (talk) 00:36, 15 January 2008 (UTC)
