Kurata Yasuaki

Who is Kurata Yasuaki?

Yasuaki Kurata, a.k.a. David Kurata, is a Japanese actor specializing in action movies. An accomplished martial artist, he has dan ranks in karate, judo, and aikido. 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. He also met Bruce Lee during his career.

Kurata's home town is Sakura-mura, Niihari District, Ibaraki. 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, teaches at a private college, is chief advisor to the All Japan Nunchaku League, and in 2004 published a book, Hong Kong Action Star Kōyūroku.