Minoru Tsutsui (; born 1943), known as Ken Kazama () or Kenji Kazama, is a Japanese martial artist, actor, and former professional kickboxer.
Biography
Martial arts Kazama was born Minoru Tsutsui in Aichi Prefecture in 1943. He began studying Seidokaikan karate at the age of 17, and won the National Championship in 1961, later becoming an instructor. He cross-trained in several other martial arts, including bōjutsu, judo and kendo, as well as other traditional disciplines like Kenshibu, ikebana and sadō.
In 1963, he began studying Shorinji Kempo and enrolled in the Kongo Zen Sohonzan Shorinji Temple in Tadotsu, where he was given the bonze name Doryū Kazama (風間 道隆), and won the National Championship that year. He subsequently founded a Shorinji Kempo school in Nagoya. He also established Shorinji Kempo Clubs at the Aichi Gakuin University and the Chukyo Gakuin University.
In 1970, he helped found the Japan Action Club with Sonny Chiba.Japan-Africa Economic and Culture Association - KIREN BUSHINDO Pages 1 and 2 That same year, he began competing professionally in kickboxing, and won the Oriental Middleweight title in South Korea. He subsequently competed in Muay Thai in Thailand, and was the first Japanese fighter to compete at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. In 1976, he won the World Full Contact Karate Middleweight Championship. He retired with a 38-0-5 record.
Acting Kazuma made his film acting debut opposite Chiba in Yakuza Deka (1970). He subsequently appeared with Chiba in the cult classics The Street Fighter (1974)Blaxploitation Films, By Mikel J Koven - That Man Bolt (1973), Background Information and Return of the Street Fighter (1976), as well as assisting with fight choreography.Far East Films, June 15, 2015 - The Street Fighter, ACTIONKung Fu Movie Guide, January 22, 2013 - The Street Fighter (1974) by Ben JohnsonWorldCat - Return of the Street Fighter = Satsujin ken 2 Details, All Authors / Contributors:
He played a villain in the Fred Williamson vehicle That Man Bolt (1973).Black action films: Plots, Critiques, Casts and Credits for 235 Theatrical and made-for-Television Releases, By James Robert Parish, George H. Hill - Page 304Classic Movie Fight Scenes: 75 Years of Bare Knuckle Brawls, 1914-1989, By Gene Freese - Page 225 FRED WILLIAMSON vs. KEN KAZAMA in That Man Bolt (1973) That same year he played the Japanese main villain Yokohama in When Taekwondo Strikes, for Hong Kong's Golden Harvest, which is notable for being the only acting role of "the Father of American Taekwondo" Jhoon Rhee.British Film Institute - WHEN TAEKWONDO STRIKES (1973), Cast & CreditsMovieo.me - When Taekwondo StrikesKung Fu Movie Guide, July 23, 2016 - When Taekwondo Strikes (1973) by Ben JohnsonLetterboxd - When Taekwondo Strikes 1973 ‘跆拳震九州’ Directed by Wong Fung
In 1976 he had the lead role in another Hong Kong film called Karate From Shaolin Temple.HKMDB - Karate from Shaolin Temple (1976)Letterboxd - Karate from Shaolin Temple 1976 ‘少林寺拳法 ムサシ香港に現わる’ Directed by Hideo Nanbu
Also in the 70s, Kazama recorded a song, "Forever Bruce Lee" and released on a 45 RPM single, Tam YT-1081.Discogs - Ken Kazama* – Forever Bruce Lee45Cat - Ken Kazama - Discography
Other activities In 1998, Kazama was appointed advisor to the Kokushikan University Martial Arts and Moral Education Research Institute. During the 2000s, he resided in Mongolia, where he was a visiting professor at Otgontenger University in Ulaanbaatar and an executive of the Japan-Mongolia Friendship Committee.
Filmography
Film + Year Title Role Notes # 1970 Yakuza Deka Kazamaki 1973 That Man Bolt Spider When Taekwondo Strikes Yokohama 1974 The Street Fighter Senkaku Kan Also fight choreographerReturn of the Street FighterFight choreographer only 1976 Karate from Shaolin Temple Musashi Yamanaka 1978 Angel Guts Yakuza 1979 Sûpâ gun redei Wani Bunsho Shimokawa 1981 Station 2004 Kill Devil2015The Real MiyagiHimselfDocumentary
Television + Year Title Episode Role Notes 1978 Daitokai - Tatakai no hibi #2.52
References
External links Ken Kazama at Budo
Kenji Kazuma at Hong Kong Cinemagic Kenji Kazuma at HKMDB