Personal Info
Birth date
1946-03-20 (79 Years)
Gender
Male
Known for
Acting
Place of birth
Niihari, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
Also known as
Kurata Yasuaki
David Kurata
Bruce Lo
یاسوآکی کوراتا
Yasuaki Kurata
Biography
Yasuaki Kurata (born March 20, 1946), a.k.a David Kurata, is a Japanese actor specializing in action movies. An accomplished martial artist, he has dan ranks in karate (5th degree), judo (3rd degree), and aikido (2nd degree). He is perhaps best known for his extended battle against Jet Li in Fist of Legend and for his villainous role in So Close. He is fluent in Cantonese. Kurata's home town is Sakura-mura, Niihari District, Ibaraki (now part of Tsukuba). Having studied performing arts at Nihon University and Toei Theater School, he began to work as an actor in the late 1960s. In 1971, Kurata made his Hong Kong debut in the Shaw Brothers Studio kung-fu movie Angry Guest . Since then he has appeared in numerous other films and TV series within the genre. In addition to his work as an actor, Kurata runs the stunt agency Kurata Promotion (established 1976 under the name Kurata Action Club), teaches at a private college (the University of Creation, Art, Music & Social Work), is chief advisor to the All Japan Nunchaku League, and in 2004 published a book, Hong Kong Action Star Kōyūroku. Description above from the Wikipedia article Yasuaki Kurata, licensed under CC-BY-SA,full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Filmography
GARO
7.9
Overview:
The Makai fight a secret war against the demon forces known as Horrors, evil creatures that manifest themselves through darkness to devour Humanity. On the frontlines are the Makai Knights, given the task of watching over a district and eliminating any Horrors that manifest there. GARO follows the tales of the Knights bearing the title of ‘Golden Knight Garo’, and their duty to vanquish the Horrors and protect Humanity from the darkness.The Great Adventurer Wesley
8
Overview:
Aliens have secretly infiltrated the Earth for years. Wesley, an Interpol Special Adviser, catches aliens with a high-tech weapons to keep the Earth safe. One day, a severed hand appears at Bai's house. Wesley and Bai's daughter investigate it and find Deng Shi who can decompose the body freely. Subsequently, in Egypt, a mummified Pharaoh disembarks, leading them to a mysterious tomb. What awaits them in the mysterious tomb?Warriors Within
NYR
Overview:
Twenty years ago, Takeda Kunizen secretly saw his father presenting a scroll to his younger brother Kosho. Kokatsu believed that the scroll contained "martial arts secret techniques". One day, a new immigrant, Xiaoyue, was bullied. A quasi-Olympic karate player, Zhuang Hui, got involved. Zhihao, a gangster who was put on a horse by a gangster, was involved. He was just passing by to stop the fight.Pandora's Box
NYR
Overview:
Physics genius Li Tian is focused on his investigation of a special type of energy. However, his mother Mei Xue Yan, a famous musician, gets embroiled in a mysterious car accident in Japan. Li Tian heads to Japan alone, but he never expected to fall into an intricate trap set up by a crime organisation. The man behind the scene manipulate Li Tian and uses advanced technology to commit a series of crimes. In Japan, Li Tian meets the bubbly Zhang Ni, as well as the investigation officer responsible for the case - Shan Qi. The three of them form a special investigation team and traces the incident back to a mysterious band twenty years ago. They also found Fu Bu Jie, a reporter who has been investigating the band for many years. A huge conspiracy which links back to a dark secret involving Li Tian's parents awaits them.Fight! Dragon!
4
Overview:
Dragon and his comic sidekick, Kojiri fight an evil world wide organisation called Shadow.Police Story
7.552
Overview:
Officer Chan Ka Kui manages to put a major Hong Kong drug dealer behind the bars practically alone, after a shooting and an impressive chase inside a slum. Now, he must protect the boss' secretary, Selina, who will testify against the gangster in court.Fist of Legend
7.486
Overview:
Chen returns to his school when he finds out that his martial arts teacher has died. When he learns that his school students are harassed by some hooligans, he gears himself up to save them.Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars
6.6
Overview:
The third installment in the Lucky Stars series, following Winners and Sinners and My Lucky Stars. The team are released from prison to play detective in order to stop a ruthless gang from ruining their reputations, taking their lives, and that of a key witness in an upcoming trial. They must battle their way through and with the help of Muscles, take down the bad guys.Origin: Spirits of the Past
6.9
Overview:
It is 300 years into the future. Earth's environment had been devastated by mankind's own foolish plans and humankind is beleaguered by the sentient forests which they have awoken. The world balance is tipped when a young boy named Agito stumbles across a machine that glowed in a strange blue hue inside a forbidden sanctuary.So Close
6.9
Overview:
A conflict of interest between two high-kicking assassin sisters is complicated as they're pursued by the criminals who hired them and an equally high-kicking female cop.Shinjuku Incident
6.7
Overview:
A simple Chinese immigrant wages a perilous war against one of the most powerful criminal organizations on the planet.Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen
6.8
Overview:
The Japanese forces occupy Shanghai and slowly start spreading terror in the city. Chen Zhen, who was presumed dead, returns to fight against the Japanese and put an end to their tyrannical rule.The Seventh Curse
6.7
Overview:
When Dr. Yuen attempts to rescue a girl about to be sacrificed by the Worm Tribe in the middle of a jungle in Thailand, he is damned with seven deadly "blood curses" and must return there to find a permanent cure.The Prodigal Boxer
6.1
Overview:
THE PRODIGAL BOXER features Chinese folk hero Fong Sai Yuk (aka Fong Si Yu), the subject of dozens of HK kung fu films. The role is played by Meng Fei as a callow, unschooled youth and wrongfully accused murderer. Two vicious masters of the local kung fu school, seeking revenge against Fong Sai Yuk, attack his home and kill his father while Fong is away. Fong’s attempts to avenge the death of his father result in his being badly beaten. Fong trains at the hands of his martial artist mother as she puts him through rigorous training and an herbal bath that makes him invulnerable. A trail of revenge is set in motion with Fong against the two masters, played by formidable kung fu villains Yasuaki Kurata and Wang Ching. Can a year's worth of training prepare Fong Sai Yuk for his deadly confrontation with the vicious masters?Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters
7.797
Overview:
A fictional account of the life of Japanese author Yukio Mishima, combining dramatizations of three of his novels and a depiction of the events of November 25th, 1970.Heroes of the East
7.344
Overview:
Gordon Liu stars as a Chinese martial arts student struggling to relate to his new Japanese wife. When a series of martial misunderstandings spirals into an international incident, he's forced to take on seven of Japan's most powerful martial arts masters, each an expert in a different discipline, ranging from karate to samurai to ninjitsu.Eastern Condors
7.3
Overview:
A motley group of Chinese prisoners held in the US is sent on a covert mission with the promise of a pardon: to go deep into Vietnam and destroy a secret depot of missiles that the US left behind during the pull-out.The Return of Sister Street Fighter
6.42
Overview:
When Koryu's childhood friend Shurei is abducted by gangsters, the desperate young woman recruits a female martial artist and a tough-as-nails stranger to join her for a dangerous rescue mission.Aces Go Places II
6.3
Overview:
An assassin called Filthy Harry is hired by a shady figure and charged with killing the heroes. The men are framed twice for different robberies by King Kong's new girlfriend, nearly committed to a mental hospital by their devious boss, and forced to battle Filthy Harry's weaponry-laden robot while covered with time bombs.God of War
6.288
Overview:
During the 16th century, pirates rule the Chinese coastline, pillaging the small villages and terrorizing the citizens. When maverick leader Commander Yu enlists the help of a sharp young general, they devise a plan to defeat the pirates. A violent clash of wit and weapons will decide who will rule the land.Four Riders
5.6
Overview:
Four highly skilled fighters unite to take on a ruthless criminal gang, battling corruption, murder, and injustice in the wake of the Korean War.Millionaires' Express
6.8
Overview:
What happens when a glamorous express, with high government officials, wealthy merchants, concubines and a gang of brigands on board, speeds towards the small town of Hanshui, where escaping bank robbers, corrupt officials, and gamblers await? Well, let's just say the Titanic had a smoother maiden voyage.Dragon Princess
5.8
Overview:
A karate master played by Sonny Chiba is attacked and left crippled and blinded in one eye. He trains his daughter (Etsuko Shihomi) with the intention of her avenging not only himself but a murdered friend.Conman in Tokyo
5.8
Overview:
Jersey is a popular gambler in Mongkok. One day, he takes a trip to Japan with her girlfriend, Nancy, they come to Chinese resaurant. Suddenly, a gang of Japanese triads comes in and starts a fight. Just at the moment when he is in danger, the restaurant owner uses a special card - casting skill to save him. Jersey recognize it is the skill of Cool, the Gambling King, but the owner refuses to admit that Cool is still alive. Cool finally admit his true identity and tells Jersey that Ho Yan was orginally his girlfriend but now she is the wife of Yeung. Cool treated Yeung like his brother, but he is jealous of Cool's beautiful grilfriend and wealth. Yeung conspired to take away Cool's everthing. With Jersey's help, Cool decides to get Ho Yan back, but he does not realizes that Yeung is setting another trap for him.Golden Job
6.3
Overview:
A group of former mercenaries reunite to plan an epic heist: boosting a truck full of medicine held by a foreign intelligence agency to supply a refugee camp in need. But when they find the truck is actually filled with stolen gold, the band of brothers realize they’ve been double-crossed by one of their own - and putting the situation right will be all out war.Blood: The Last Vampire
5.843
Overview:
On the surface, Saya is a stunning 16-year-old, but that youthful exterior hides the tormented soul of a 400-year-old "halfling". Born to a human father and a vampire mother, she has for centuries been a loner obsessed with using her samurai skills to rid the world of vampires, all the while knowing that she herself can survive only on blood like those she hunts.Acting
TBAFight! Dragon (TV Pilot) - Dragon Flies to Hong Kong. as Ryuma Shiranui (Dragon)
2023Enter the Clones of Bruce as Self
2021Pandora's Box (12 Episodes) as Hiroshi Kuroki
2020Warriors Within (20, 20 Episode) as 武田寬, Unknown
2019Black Fox: Age of the Ninja as Hyoe Isurugi
2019Yasuragi no Toki: Michi (50 Episodes) as Unknown
2018Iceman: The Time Traveler as Bei Tiao
2018Fat Buddies as Unknown
2018Golden Job as Morimoto
2018The Great Adventurer Wesley: Mind Port (1 Episode) as Unknown
2018The Great Adventurer Wesley (12 Episodes) as 藤原龙太
2017The Brink as Chen Ding-Kui
2017Manhunt as Hideo Sakaguchi
2017The Empty Hands as Akira Hirakawa
2017The One as 新右卫门大师
2017God of War as Kumasawa
2015KIRI – Profession: Assassin as Saburi
2013The Wrath of Vajra as Amano Kawao
2012The Last Tycoon as Unknown
2011Sword of Blood as Genjiro Mishima
2010Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen as Chikaraishis Vater
2009Blood: The Last Vampire as Kato Takatora
2009Shinjuku Incident as Taro Watagawa
2006GoGo Sentai Boukenger The Movie: The Greatest Precious as Kouichi Akashi
2006Legend of Seven Monks as Unknown
2005Dragon Get Angry as Unknown
2005GARO (25 Episodes) as Sonshi
2003Anna in Kungfu-land as Sword Shek
2003Yellow Dragon as Gouzaburo "Go" Azuma
2002Samouraïs as Fujiwara Morio
2002So Close as Master
2001Dark War as Chang
2000Conman in Tokyo as Tetsuo
2000Ginza Midnight Story - Utopia 2 as Unknown
2000Ginza Midnight Story - Utopia as Unknown
2000Quiet Don 11 as Unknown
1999Fist Of Hero (40 Episodes) as 横山十兵卫
1996Quiet Don 10 as Unknown
1996Quiet Don 9 as Unknown
1996Quiet Don 8 as Unknown
1995Quiet Don 7 as Unknown
1994Fist of Legend as Fuimo Funakoshi
1994The Fighting King as Unknown
1993Quiet Don 6 as Unknown
1993Quiet Don 5 as Unknown
1992Violent Island: Dirty Money Hijack as Unknown
1992Quiet Don 4 as Unknown
1992Quiet Don 3 as Unknown
1991The Devil's Messenger DEATH MESSENGER as Unknown
1991Zodiac Killers as Ishikawa (cameo)
1989Bloodfight as Masahiko Kai
1989Above the War as Cook
1988Seven Days War as Sakai
1988Carry On Hotel as Tomohara
1987Eastern Condors as Vietnamese Captain
1986The Seventh Curse as Captain Ho
1986A Book of Heroes as Yamashita sensei
1986Millionaires' Express as Japanese Ninja
1985Police Story as Passerby (uncredited)
1985Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters as Takei (segment "Kyoko's House")
1985Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars as Parachute Assassin
1984To Catch a Thief as Unknown
1984Ninja Thunderbolt as Unknown
1983Aces Go Places II as Bull
1983Kanei Command Performance as Unknown
1983Impossible Woman as Unknown
1983Deadly Life of a Ninja as Iga Ninja Leader
1983Crisis as Chairman Sun Shao Hung
1982Gメン'82 (1 Episode) as Unknown
1982Legend of a Fighter as Teacher Kong Ho San
1981The Legend of the Owl as Unknown
1981Seed of Evil as Unknown
1981Shaolin Fighters vs. Ninja as Lonely Winner
1981Why Not? as Hanjiro
1981Ninja In The Deadly Trap as Shi Ping-Wei, the Ninja Leader
1980The Magnificent 3 as Japanese tourist
1978Heroes of the East as Takeno
1978Edge of Fury as Mr King
1977Secret of the Shaolin Poles as Tiger Lei (as Shoji Kurada)
1977V.I.P. as Unknown
1976Which Is Stronger, Karate or the Tiger? as Ryuzaki Tetsuji
1976Young Hero of Shaolin as Unknown
1976Dragon Princess as Masahiko Okizaki
1975The Return of Sister Street Fighter as Go Kurosaki
1975Fists for Revenge as Unknown
1975The Golden Triangle as Unknown
1975Fighting Dragon as Lung Yen Fei (Dragon)
1974Sister Street Fighter: Hanging by a Thread as Shunsuke Tsubaki
1974The Executioner as Karate teacher
1974Fight! Dragon! (26 Episodes) as Dragon
1974Little Godfather from Hong Kong as Sakada (Chong)
1974Call Me Dragon as Panther / Leopard Head
1974Fatal Strike as Unknown
1974The Fists of Vengeance as Kiro-san
1973Ferocious to Ferocious as Yamada
1973Gold Snatchers as Unknown
1973Black Panther as Chang Hui-Feng
1973The Unsubdued Furies as Unknown
1973Seven to One as Nightclub Singer / Killer
1973Win Them All as Iron Fingers
1973A Gathering of Heroes as Unknown
1973Knight Errant as Tetsuro
1973Fist of Unicorn as Sun
1973Rage of Wind as Taka
1973Kung Fu Powerhouse as Tiger
1973A Girl Called Tigress as Chiau Kung
1973Kung Fu Inferno as Chiang Hung
1972Four Riders as Lei Tai
1972Kung Fu: The Invisible Fist as Cpt. Jai Tai
1972The King of Boxers as Tu Pien
1972The Prodigal Boxer as Iron Hand Tan
1972The Angry Guest as Katsu
1972Tiger as Tze Chiang
Writing
2003Yellow Dragon ... Writer