is a Japanese actor, director,

fight choreographer Stage combat, fight craft or fight choreography is a specialised technique in theatre designed to create the illusion of physical combat without causing harm to the performers. It is employed in live stage plays as well as operatic and ballet p ...

stuntman A stunt performer, often called a stuntman or stuntwoman and occasionally stuntperson or stunt-person, is a trained professional who performs daring acts, often as a career. Stunt performers usually appear in films or on television, as opposed ...

and

martial artist Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defence; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the pres ...

. He is best known for his role in

Ryuhei Kitamura is a Japanese film director, producer, and screenwriter. Kitamura relocated to Sydney, Australia at age 17 and attended a school for visual arts for two years. In 1997, Kitamura directed and produced the short film ''Down to Hell'', which receiv ...

cult film A cult film, also commonly referred to as a cult classic, is a film that has acquired a cult following. Cult films are known for their dedicated, passionate fanbase, which forms an elaborate subculture, members of which engage in repeated ...

, ''

Versus Versus (Latin, 'against') may refer to: Film and television * ''Versus'' (2000 film), a Japanese zombie film * ''Versus'' (2016 film), a Russian sports drama film * ''Versus'' (2019 film), a French thriller film * Versus (TV channel), form ...

''. Since his debut, Sakaguchi has worked with Kitamura several times, often appearing alongside fellow Kitamura staple

Hideo Sakaki (born June 4, 1970) is a Japanese actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the Japanese cult films '' Versus'', ''Battlefield Baseball'', and '' Alive''. He is a close friend of director Ryuhei Kitamura and appears in several of his film ...

. He has also worked with frequent Kitamura collaborators Yudai Yamaguchi and Yuji Shimomura. Sakaguchi is a talented

, and most often appears in films featuring copious fight scenes, usually performing all of his own stunts. He is purportedly skilled in

Bajiquan ''Bajiquan'' () is a traditional Chinese martial art that features explosive, short-range power in close combat and is well-known for its rapid elbow and shoulder strikes. Its full name is ''kaimen bajiquan'' (). The ''eight extremities'' in ...

Shorinji Kempo is a Japanese martial arts, Japanese martial art. The name ''Shōrinji Kempo'' is the On'yomi, Japanese reading of ''Shàolínsì Quánfǎ''. It was established in 1947 by orn a Japanese martial artist and former military intelligence ...

Boxing Boxing is a combat sport and martial art. Taking place in a boxing ring, it involves two people – usually wearing protective equipment, such as boxing glove, protective gloves, hand wraps, and mouthguards – throwing Punch (combat), punch ...

Kickboxing Kickboxing ( ) is a full-contact hybrid Martial arts, martial art and Boxing (disambiguation), boxing type based on punch (combat), punching and kicking. Kickboxing originated in the 1950s to 1970s. The fight takes place in a boxing ring, norma ...

, and while recently filming Re:Born learned the tactical martial art Zero Range Combat developed by Yoshitaka Inagawa.

Biography

Before entering into the film industry, Sakaguchi was an underground street fighter who was well known for his skill in the martial arts. He was discovered by then-unknown director

, who recruited Sakaguchi for a lead role in ''Versus''. Since then, Sakaguchi has appeared in several films directed by Kitamura, including the ''

Azumi is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yū Koyama. It was serialized in Shogakukan's manga magazine ''Big Comic Superior'' from 1994 to 2008, with its chapters collected in 48 volumes. A sequel series with the same title ...

'' films, Kitamura's short in the ''

Jam Films ''Jam Films'' and its sequels are collections of short films, each by a different Japanese director. ''Jam Films'' ''Jam Films'' is a 2002 suite of 7 shorts produced by Sega/ Amuse (various production companies participated in the production of th ...

'' titled ''The Messenger'', and minor roles in '' Aragami'' and '' Alive''. He played a larger role in the quirky, yet successful ''

Battlefield Baseball is a 2003 Japanese film directed by Yūdai Yamaguchi. The film is written by Gatarō Man, based on his manga series of the same name, and stars Tak Sakaguchi, Atsushi Itō, and Hideo Sakaki. It was produced by Ryuhei Kitamura. The film is a ...

'' (produced by Kitamura and directed by Yudai Yamaguchi). 2006 saw Sakaguchi in more mainstream roles, such as Yashamaru in '' Shinobi: Heart Under Blade'', and "Grave" in '' Death Trance''. He also guest-starred in the Japanese

tokusatsu is a Japanese term for live-action films or television programs that make heavy use of practical special effects. Credited to special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya, ''tokusatsu'' mainly refers to science fiction film, science fiction, War fi ...

show, ''

Kamen Rider Kabuto is a Japanese tokusatsu superhero television series. It is the sixteenth installment in the popular Kamen Rider Series of tokusatsu programs. It is a joint collaboration between Asatsu-DK and Toei. The series was broadcast on TV Asahi. The ...

'', as the villain Reiji Nogi/Cassisworm. In 2008, Sakaguchi made his directorial debut with ''

Sakigake!! Otokojuku , also known as simply ''Otokojuku'', is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akira Miyashita. It was originally serialized in Shueisha's ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' from 1985 to 1991. It is staged in an all-boys school t ...

'' (a.k.a. " Samurai School"), in which he also starred, wrote the screenplay, and choreographed the action sequences. He made a cameo appearance in

Yoshihiro Nishimura is a Japanese film director, special effects and makeup effects artist, and a screenwriter who has worked predominantly in the horror genre. Nishimura has been described as "a legendary director and effects artist" and "the Tom Savini of Japan" ...

's 2008

exploitation film An exploitation film is a film that seeks commercial success by capitalizing on current trends, niche genres, or sensational content. Exploitation films often feature themes such as suggestive or explicit sex, sensational violence, drug use, nudi ...

, ''

Tokyo Gore Police is a 2008 Japanese science fiction horror film co-written, edited and directed by Yoshihiro Nishimura and starring Eihi Shiina as Ruka, a vengeful police officer. ''Tokyo Gore Police'' was released to several film festivals in North America. ...

'', as well as directed/starred in '' Yoroi: Samurai Zombie'', based on a story by Ryuhei Kitamura. In 2011, Sakaguchi reprised his role as Yakyû Jubei in '' Deadball'', a reimagining of ''Battlefield Baseball'', and also co-directed/starred in '' Yakuza Weapon'', based on the manga ''Gokudō Heiki''. In 2013, Sakaguchi announced his retirement from acting to focus on work behind the camera. Despite this, he is expected to reprise his role as KSC2-303 in Ryuhei Kitamura's '' Versus 2'', and has stated that he is currently working on a sequel to '' Death Trance''.

Filmography

Actor

*''

'' (2000) – Prisoner KSC2-303 *'' Alive'' (2002) – Zeros *''

'' (2003) – Yakyū Jubei *''The Messenger'' (2003, ''

'' segment) – Man *'' Aragami'' (2003) – Future Challenger *''

'' (2003) – Sanzo Sajiki *'' Godzilla: Final Wars'' (2004 – X-Seijin) *'' Azumi 2: Death or Love'' (2005) –

Tsuchigumo is a historical Japanese derogatory term for renegade local clans, primarily during the Asuka, Nara, and early Heian periods, and also the name for a race of spider-like in Japanese folklore. Alternative names for the historical groups include , ...

*'' Shinobi: Heart Under Blade'' (2005) – Yashamaru *''

Cromartie High - The Movie Cromartie or Cromarty may refer to: People Sports * Antonio Cromartie (born 1984), American football cornerback * Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith (born 1987), American football safety * Marcus Cromartie (born 1990), American football cornerback * Russell C ...

'' (2005) – Ichiro Yamamoto *'' Death Trance'' (2006) Grave *''

Yo-Yo Girl Cop ''Yo-Yo Girl Cop'', known in Japan as is a 2006 Japanese live-action feature film, the third to be based on the manga ''Sukeban Deka'', directed by Kenta Fukasaku. The film stars Aya Matsuura in the lead role of Saki Asamiya and Rika Ishikawa as ...

'' (2006) –

Enola Gay The ''Enola Gay'' () is a Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber, named after Enola Gay Tibbets, the mother of the pilot, Colonel (United States), Colonel Paul Tibbets. On 6 August 1945, during the final stages of World War II, it became the Atomi ...

gang member *''The Red Army'' (2007, directed by

Kōji Wakamatsu was a Japanese film director who directed such pink films as and . He also produced Nagisa Ōshima's controversial film '' In the Realm of the Senses'' (1976). He has been called "the most important director to emerge in the pink film genre," an ...

) – Takaya Shiomi *''

'' (2008) – Momotaro Tsurugi *''

'' (2008) – (cameo) *''Elite Yankee Saburo The Movie'' (2009) – Hammerhead Boss *'' Mutant Girls Squad'' (2010) – Kisaragi *'' Deadball'' (2011) – Yakyû Jubei *'' Yakuza Weapon'' (2011) - Shozo *''Men's egg Drummers'' (2011) *''Snot rocket'' (2012) - Sankichi Tabana *''

Why Don't You Play in Hell? is a 2013 Japanese film directed, written and scored by Sion Sono. The movie is an action film based on a screenplay written by Sono fifteen years earlier. North American distributor Drafthouse Films announced its acquisition before it made it ...

'' (2013) – Sasaki *''Snake of Violence'' (2013) – Kenji *''Max the Movie'' (2016) - Sakaguchi *'' Re:Born'' (2017) - Toshiro Kuroda *''Red Blade'' (2018) - Saizo *'' Kingdom'' (2019) - Saji *''Rise of the Machine Girls'' (2019) - Matsukata *
Crazy Samurai Musashi
' (2020) –

Miyamoto Musashi , was a Japanese swordsman, strategist, artist, and writer who became renowned through stories of his unique double-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 62 duels. Miyamoto is considered a ''Kensei (honorary title), kensei'' (swo ...

*''Osaka girl'' (2020) - Toshiro Kuroda *''Tokyo dragon hanten'' (2020) *''Ninja Jaja-maru-kun'' (2020) *''Koi-no-haka'' (2020) *''Boryoku Muso'' (2021) *'' Prisoners of the Ghostland'' (2021) *'' 1%er: One-Percenter'' (2022) * ''Bad City'' (2023) - Han

Director

*''

'' (2008) *'' Yoroi: Samurai Zombie'' (2008) *'' Mutant Girls Squad'' (First segment) (2010) *'' Yakuza Weapon'' (2011)

Writer

*''

'' (2008) (screenplay)

Fight choreographer

*'' Godzilla: Final Wars'' (2004) *'' Death Trance'' (2006) *'' Akihabara@DEEP'' (2006) *''

'' (2008) *''Ai no Mukidashi (2009)'' *''Yakuza girl (2010)'' *''Cold fish (2010)'' *''Himizu (2012)'' *''Kurocorch (2013)'' *''Tokyo tribe (2014)'' *''Torakage (2015)'' *''Iron grandmother (2015)'' *''Real Oni gokko (2015)'' *HiGH&LOW THE RED RAIN （2016) *Blue hearts ga kikoeru (2017) *Tokyo vampire hotel (2017) *Sekai ha kyo-kara kimi no mono (2017) *Kodoku meat ball machine (2016) *Final life (2017) *Demekin (2017) *Kuso yaro to Utsukushiki sekai ianist o utsuna(2018) *Iron grandmother 2 (2018) *Genin akai kage (2019) *Genin Aoi kage (2019)

TV drama

*''

Be-Bop High School is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kazuhiro Kiuchi. It was serialized in Kodansha's ''seinen'' manga magazine ''Weekly Young Magazine'' from 1983 to 2003, with its chapters collected in 48 volumes. It has bee ...

'' Series (2005-2005) – Toshimitsu Yamada (fight director) *Koi wa jikka ja Umarenai (2005) *Satomi Hakkenden (2006) - Suketomo Ota *''

'' (2006) – Reiji Nogi/Cassis Worm *Kagero no tuji (2007) *Otome no Punch (2008) *Yukemuri Sniper (2009) *Crover (2012) - Hiroki Mido *Bouncer (2017) - Seijiro Torai *7nin no hisho (2020) - Kuroda *Red eyes (2021) - Mayumi

Notes

References

Midnight Interview with Ryuhei Kitamura

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Sakaguchi, Tak Japanese male actors 1975 births Living people People from Ishikawa Prefecture Action choreographers Japanese choreographers Japanese film directors Japanese stunt performers