Takeshi Kaneshiro

Takeshi Kaneshiro (金城 武, Kaneshiro Takeshi, born October 11, 1973) is a Taiwanese-Japanese actor and singer. Kaneshiro has worked with some of the most renowned directors in East Asia, namely, Wong Kar Wai (Chungking Express and Fallen Angels), Peter Chan (Perhaps Love and Wuxia), Zhang Yimou (House of Flying Daggers) and John Woo (Red Cliff and The Crossing I and II).

Takeshi Kaneshiro
金城 武
Kaneshiro in 2007
Born (1973-10-11) October 11, 1973
Taipei, Taiwan
NationalityJapanese
CitizenshipJapan
OccupationActor, singer
Years active1992–present
Chinese name
Musical career
Also known asAniki
GenresMandopop, Cantopop
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Member of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Assumed office
June 25, 2018

Early life

Kaneshiro's mother is Taiwanese and his father is from Okinawa, Japan.[1][2] He was born and raised in Taipei, but also holds Japanese citizenship.[3][4]

The son of a Japanese businessman and a Taiwanese homemaker,[5] he has two elder brothers; one who is seven years his senior, and another who is just one year older.[6] After graduating from Taipei Japanese Junior High School, he enrolled at English-based Taipei American School, which enabled him to converse in English. While he was studying there, he began doing television commercials and decided to quit school to pursue a singing and acting career. He is multilingual, fluent in Mandarin, Taiwanese Hokkien, Japanese, and to lesser degrees in Cantonese and English. Taiwanese was the first language he spoke while growing up in Taiwan.[7]

Name

Kaneshiro (金城) is a common Okinawan surname,[8] albeit with an unusual pronunciation, as the usual reading is Kinjō, while the traditional Okinawan pronunciation is Kanagusuku or Kanegusuku. His given name is Takeshi (武). He appears as Kaneshiro Takeshi (金城 武) in Japanese media.

Since personal names are commonly written in Chinese characters in both Chinese and Japanese naming conventions, following the Eastern name order, and in this particular case the name, in its written form, appears native in both Japanese and Chinese, giving Kaneshiro the freedom to distinguish himself as a Japanese when working in China by preserving or removing the space between his surname and given name.

Career

1992 to 1999: Early years and career breakthrough

In 1992, Kaneshiro made his singing debut, entering the business with the nickname "Aniki", meaning 'older brother' in Japanese. His debut album was Heartbreaking Night (1992). Contracted to EMI, he wrote many of his own Mandarin and Cantonese songs. The following year, his popularity propelled him into acting. He no longer produces any commercial music.

His film debut was Executioners (1993) and this was followed by Wong Kar-wai's Chungking Express (1994), Fallen Angels (1995) and a string of other Hong Kong films. It was Kaneshiro's collaboration with the auteur director, Wong Kar Wai, in Chungking Express where he played the lovelorn Hong Kong cop 223 that sparked his interest in acting and movie-making.[7] Later, Kaneshiro starred in the Japanese Drama God, Please Give Me More Time (1998), allowing him to branch into Japanese films such as Returner (2002).

2000 to 2010: Mainstream success and critical acclaim

Kaneshiro's work, however, is more heavily concentrated in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. In 2005, he sang his way through Perhaps Love, the first modern musical to be produced in China.[9] It was the first of many collaborations with Hong Kong-based director Peter Chan. In 2008 and 2009 he starred in Red Cliff, a high budget film by Hong Kong director John Woo. He has also played the romantic lead in Zhang Yimou's House of Flying Daggers, and starred alongside Jet Li and Andy Lau in The Warlords. He expressed excitement when he received news that he was going to have the opportunity to work with Director Zhang Yimou.[10]

Kaneshiro has also become well known in the video game industry portraying the samurai warrior Samanosuke in Capcom's Onimusha. In a June 2007 article on the film site Ain't It Cool News, it was revealed that Kaneshiro was going to be in the Onimusha film, reprising his role as Samanosuke and for a 2011 release, but that project was derailed.[11][12][13] The producer Samuel Hadida had to delay the filming of Onimusha, which has resulted in the film's Japanese cast working on other film projects during the delay, and being unavailable to start filming. These factors were enough that French director Christophe Gans will now direct an adaptation of Leo Perutz's novel The Swedish Cavalier first, taking over the reins from Gilles Mimouni. Satomi Ishihara and Tsuyoshi Ihara remain attached to the project.

In 2003, Kaneshiro was featured in the magazine Time and was coined as becoming the East Asian film industry's Johnny Depp.[5] Moreover, Kaneshiro was interviewed by CNN in the TalkAsia segment in 2006.[14]

Outside of the entertainment business, Kaneshiro has acted as a spokesperson and model for Emporio Armani (2008) as well as, Prada (1998), Lifecard credit card company, VAIO personal computer, Honda, Lipice lips moisturizer, SonyEricsson, Pocari Sweat soft drink, Morinaga chocolate, Volvic, GEOS (eikaiwa) (language school), Petronas oil company, Japan Asia Airways, Hyundai Motor Company, Toyota MarkX ZiO, Mitsubishi Galant, NTT docomo the predominant mobile phone operator in Japan, NTT Yellow Pages, Shiseido, Lycos, UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Kadokawa Shoten a well-known Japanese publisher based in Tokyo, Rice Burger, Roasted barley tea, One2Free (HK), and Kiwi cold drink, and the most recent Biotherm Homme since 2005.[15]

2011 to present: Selective films

In 2016, Kaneshiro was cast in another Wong Kar Wai production, See You Again Tomorrow (2016), making it the third film starring opposite Tony Leung Chiu Wai.[16]

In 2018, he will be appearing in Juno Mak's Sons of the Neon Night with an all-star cast that includes Tony Leung Ka Fai, Louis Koo, and Sean Lau.[17]

Personal life

Kaneshiro is a practicing Buddhist, having converted in 1997, and has said his mother is also a devout Buddhist. He has been given titles such as "heartthrob," "dream guy," but he has through the years maintained a sense of humility.[18] Kaneshiro is known for trying to avoid the media spotlight. He has been quoted as saying "If one day I get married and have kids, I will probably be one of those men who really care for the family. I will eat at home every day, and help with the chores and take care of the children."[19]

Filmography

Film
Year English title Original title Role Notes
1993Heroic Trio 2: Executioners現代豪俠傳Chong Hon
1994Mermaid Got Married人魚傳說Kenji
The Wrath of Silence沉默的姑娘Dr. Patrick Ko
Chungking Express重慶森林Ho Chi-wu, Cop 223
No, Sir!報告班長3Chin Tieh-sheng
1995Don't Give a Damn冇面俾 / 摩登笑探Tang Chuen-shek
Young Policemen in Love新紮師兄追女仔 / 逃學戰警Chin Ying-chun
Fallen Angels墮落天使He Zhiwu
China Dragon中國龍Tom Hao
School Days學校霸王 / 校園敢死隊Eagle
Trouble Maker蠟筆小小生 / 臭屁王A Miu
1996The Feeling of Love重慶愛情感覺 / 泡妞專家Hing
Lost and Found天涯海角Worm
Forever Friends四個不平凡的少年 / 號角響起Li Ta-wei
Dr. Wai in "The Scripture with No Words"冒險王Shing
First Love: The Litter on the Breeze初纏戀后的二人世界Lin Chia-tung
1997Downtown Torpedoes神偷諜影Jackal
Hero馬永貞Ma Wing-ching
The Odd One Dies兩個只能活一個Mo
The Jail In Burning Island火燒島之橫行霸道Yang Chung
MistyN/ATakehiro
1998Too Tired to DieN/AKenji
Fuyajo不夜城Kenichi RyuuAlso titled Sleepless Town
Anna Magdalena安娜瑪德蓮娜Chan Kar-fu
1999Tempting Heart心動Lin Ho-jun
TarzanN/ATarzanVoice for Cantonese, Mandarin and Japanese versions
2000Lavender薰衣草Angel
Space TravelersスペーストラベラーズNishiyama
2002ReturnerリターナーMiyamoto
2003Turn Left, Turn Right向左走．向右走John Liu
2004House of Flying Daggers十面埋伏JinTitled Lovers for the Japanese release
2005Perhaps Love如果愛Lin Jian-dong / Zhang YangTitled Winter Song for the Japanese release
2006Confession of Pain傷城Yau Kin-bong
2007The Warlords投名狀Jiang Wuyang
2008Accuracy of Death死神の精度Chiba
K-20: Legend of the MaskK-20 怪人二十面相・伝Heikichi Endo[20]
Red Cliff Part I赤壁Zhuge Liang
2009Red Cliff Part II赤壁:決戰天下Zhuge Liang
2011Wu Xia武俠Xu Bai-jiu
2014The Crossing太平輪：亂世浮生Yan Zekun
2015The Crossing 2太平輪：驚濤摯愛Yan Zekun
2016See You Tomorrow擺渡人Guan Chun
2017This Is Not What I Expected喜歡你Lu Jin
2019Sons of the Neon Night風林火山

Television series
Year English title Original title Role Notes
1991Grass Scholar草地狀元Chen Nai-chien[21]
1995Colour Of Amour富士彩色顯人生
1995The Miracle on a Christmas Night聖夜の奇跡Mr. Bell
1998God, Please Give Me More Time神様、もう少しだけKeigo Ishikawa
2000Love 2000二千年の恋The Assassin / Yurij Maroev
2002Golden BowlゴールデンボウルShu Akutagawa

Video game
Year Title Role Notes
2001Onimusha: WarlordsSamanosuke AkechiVoice, Japanese version
2004Onimusha 3: Demon SiegeSamanosuke AkechiVoice, Japanese version
2018Onimusha: WarlordsSamanosuke AkechiVoice, Japanese version / Guest creator

Discography

Studio albums
Album No. Album details Track listing
1st Heartbreaking Nights
分手的夜裡
  • Released: September 1992
  • Language: Mandarin
Track listing
  1. A Summer Affair
  2. Heartbreaking Night
  3. The unlicensed youth
  4. Still Love You
  5. Classmate
  6. Comfortable life away
  7. Tokyo Blues
  8. 108 Call Me
  9. I do not
  10. Distant cherry rain
2nd Just You And Me
只要你和我
  • Released: June 1993
  • Language: Mandarin
Track listing
  1. Just You And Me
  2. Because love you
  3. Looking back at you
  4. I etc.
  5. Be My Girl ...... Be My Girl....
  6. Love was not sure
  7. Kikuko girl
  8. Lying eyes
  9. Friends
  10. Good night to You
3rd Tender Superman
溫柔超人
  • Released: February 1994
  • Language: Mandarin
Track listing
  1. Tender Superman
  2. Let's Fall In Love
  3. Love Me Once Again
  4. It is not known
  5. You Sweetheart
  6. Valentine's Day gift of flowers
  7. A Thousand Temptations
  8. The gray sky
  9. You
  10. Heart Pain Inside
4th Ideal Lover
標準情人
  • Released: December 1994
  • Language: Mandarin
Track listing
  1. Standard lover
  2. The trouble is you do not want to
  3. Let me say to you
  4. Blue smile
  5. Deciduous season
  6. Pure tears
  7. I really treasure
  8. Courageous say goodbye
  9. No love pm
  10. Tell Laura I Love Her (remake)
5th Missed Date
失約
  • Released: December 1994
  • Language: Cantonese
Track listing
  1. Scam
  2. Will love return
  3. Lonely and others
  4. Paranoia
  5. You want to ever
  6. Loving Heart
  7. Love Me Once Again
  8. I see the paradise
  9. Love
  10. Cover Girl
6th Dear My Beloved
給我心愛的人
  • Released: June 1995
  • Language: Cantonese
Track listing
  1. Who can
  2. The occasion
  3. Love me!
  4. Still love you like before
  5. Burning Passion
  6. Dear My Beloved
  7. Sunshine Lover
  8. I do not want to cry
  9. With your life
  10. Or are you lucky
7th Secretly Drunk
偷偷的醉
  • Released: October 1995
  • Language: Mandarin
Track listing
  1. I cried to stop carrying
  2. Love You Deeply
  3. Don't want to leave
  4. And I miss not meet
  5. Road Of The Heart
  6. Secretly Drunk
  7. In the summer of love burning
  8. Lonely people fear most crying
  9. That love
  10. Love Rhapsody
8th No Matter How Hard
多苦都願意
  • Released: October 1996
  • Language: Mandarin
Track listing
  1. No Matter How Hard
  2. I love her with your shadow
  3. Green space
  4. Capricorn
  5. Happier
  6. A love so much
  7. Because of your
  8. My tears
  9. New Day Of The City
  10. Taipei Aniki
9th Best Collection: Takeshi Kaneshiro's Best Songs
金城武的精選歌集
  • Released: June 1998
  • Language: Mandarin
Track listing
  1. Ideal Lover
  2. No Matter How Hard
  3. Don't Gry Behind My Back
  4. Don't Wanna Be In Trouble
  5. Crazy Love Song
  6. Secretly Drunk
  7. Route To South
  8. Taipei Aniki
  9. Say Goodbye
  10. Love You Deeply
  11. Love Me
  12. Sunshine Lover
  13. Tender Superman
  14. Only You And Me
  15. Road Of The Heart
  16. Heartbreaking Night

Soundtrack
Year Title Track listing Notes
2005 Perhaps Love
Track listing
No.4 Forgot Who I am (忘了我是誰)
(duet with Zhou Xun)
No.6 Beautiful Story (美麗故事)
(duet with Ji Jin-hee)
No.10 Crossroad (十字街頭)
(duet with Zhou Xun)
No.11 What If (假如)
(Solo)
 Mandarin album

Awards and nominations

Takeshi Kaneshiro is one of 10 recipients of the 2010 Green Planet Film Award for Ten Best International Actors of the Decade (Asia).[22]

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult
19951st Golden Bauhinia AwardsBest ActorFallen AngelsNominated
199818th The Television Drama Academy AwardBest ActorGod, Please Give Me More TimeWon
200233rd The Television Drama Academy AwardBest ActorGolden BowlNominated
200643rd Golden Horse AwardsBest Original Film SongPerhaps Love
(as performer of song "Crossroad")		Won
7th Changchun Film FestivalBest ActorPerhaps LoveNominated
201754th Golden Horse AwardsBest ActorSee You TomorrowNominated
2nd Golden Screen AwardsBest Actor[23]This Is Not What I ExpectedWon
gollark: !esowiki Turi
gollark: Just add some kind of IO functionality somehow... no idea how that would work.
gollark: Yep!
gollark: Well, no, you'd probably need a turing machine.
gollark: I'm fairly sure you can simulate basically all CAs in Game of Life.

References
  1. "Takeshi Kaneshiro An An Magazine - Gaki n Me - 無名小站". Wretch.cc. 1998-07-07. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  2. "mikomijade |". Freewebs.com. 2009-08-03. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  3. Archived December 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "yam蕃薯藤 NEWS". N.yam.com. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  5. Drake, Kate (2003-09-29). "Movies: The versatile Takeshi Kaneshiro". TIME. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  6. Archived July 23, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Making the Great Leap". Newsweek. 2005-12-25. Retrieved 2018-08-12.
  8. Kerr, George H. (2000) [1958]. Okinawa, the History of an Island People. Boston: Tuttle. p. xvii. ISBN 9780804820875. the character 城, very commonly found in surnames and place names ... Thus Kaneshiro can also be read Kinjo.
  9. Elley, Derek (2005-09-14). "Perhaps Love". Variety. Retrieved 2018-08-12.
  10. "CNN.com - Takeshi Kaneshiro Talkasia Transcript - Feb 10, 2006". www.cnn.com. Retrieved 2018-08-12.
  11. "Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news". Aintitcool.com. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  12. Archived December 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  13. Archived December 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  14. "CNN.com - Takeshi Kaneshiro Talkasia Transcript - Feb 10, 2006". Edition.cnn.com. 2006-02-10. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  15. "Biotherm". Biotherm. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  16. "Takeshi Kaneshiro: "The Takeshi You Know Is The Takeshi In Your Mind"". Harper's Bazaar Singapore. 2017-03-28. Retrieved 2018-08-12.
  17. "A look at Juno Mak's gangster flick 'Sons of the Neon Night'". cityonfire.com. Retrieved 2018-08-12.
  18. "I Am not a 'Dream Guy' | ASIA TODAY News & Events". asiapacific.com. Retrieved 2018-08-12.
  19. in TOUCH magazine (Hong Kong) Issue 46 Nov, 05
  20. "映画「K-20 怪人二十面相・伝」アウトラインと全体概要｜今、よみがえる〜映画「K-20 怪人二十面相・伝」". K-20.jp. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  21. "Takeshi Kaneshiro". chinesemov.com. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  22. "Green Planet Movie Awards Award Categories". Movie-voters.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-22. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  23. "Golden Screen Awards: China's 'This Is Not What I Expected' Takes Top Honor". The Hollywood Reporter. October 29, 2017.
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