Yasuaki Kurata

Yasuaki Kurata (Japanese: 倉田 保昭 , romanized: Kurata Yasuaki ; born March 20, 1946) is a Japanese actor and martial artist. He has worked extensively in Hong Kong action films, as well as in his native country, and is a two-time Hong Kong Film Award nominee.

Kurata was born and raised in Sakura-mura, Niihari District, Ibaraki (now part of Tsukuba). He began studying Shitō-ryū karate under his father from a young age, and holds a 7th dan black belt. He also holds black belts in Judo (3rd dan), and Aikido (2nd dan), and also practices Kendo.

He studied performing arts at Nihon University and Toei Theater School.

In 1966, Kurata began his career as an actor in Marude Dameo, a Japanese TV series.

In 1971, Kurata made his Hong Kong debut in the Shaw Brothers Studio kung-fu movie Angry Guest (悪客). He went on to appear in numerous other films and TV series in the genre. In Japan, he gained popularity for his role in the television series G-Men '75. 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 and befriended Bruce Lee during his career.

In addition to acting, Kurata runs the stunt agency Kurata Promotion (established in 1976 under the name Kurata Action Club), taught at a private college (University of Creation; Art, Music & Social Work), serves as chief advisor to the All Japan Nunchaku League, and in 2004 published the book Hong Kong Action Star Kōyūroku (香港アクションスター交友録 ) . He runs karate dojos in Tokyo, Osaka and Hong Kong.

Kenji Tanigaki is one of Kurata's pupils.