Toshishiro Obata

Biography

Toshishiro Obata is the founder of Shinkendo. He is well known in Japan as a tameshigiri champion for several years in a row and is an authorized shitoka. He studied aikido under Gozo Shioda in the Yoshinkan Honbu Dojo, and studied the sword arts of Nakamura-ryu, Ioriken Battojutsu, Toyama-ryu, Yagyu Shinkage-ryu, Kashima Shin-ryu, Ryukyu Kobudo, and others. He moved to America in 1980 to start teaching and to develop his own sword art, based on his extensive experience. In 1990, the International Shinkendo Federation was officially established. The federation has grown to 80 branches internationally, and continues to expand. Obata, as the founder of the school, is referred to as Obata Kaiso by his students, and continues to travel across the globe to hold seminars for his students around the world. Since 1986, Obata has appeared in several Hollywood films.

Most Known For

Walker, Texas Ranger

as Japanese Karate Instructor

Demolition Man

as CryoCon

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

as Tatsu

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze

as Tatsu

Black Rain

as Mediator

The Shadow

as Mongol

Rising Sun

as Guard at Imperial Arms

Showdown in Little Tokyo

as Sato

The Hunted

as Ryuma

China O'Brien

as Sommers's Henchmen Fighter (uncredited)

Blue Tiger

as Kunimatsu

The Samurai

as self / swordsman

Ghost Warrior

as Japanese Officer

China O'Brien II

as Man with Claws

Rage and Honor

as Chan Lu

Red Sun Rising

as Oyabun

Ulterior Motives

as Bull Neck Yakuza

The Sword of Bushido

as Yamaguchi