Tsuyoshi Abe's journey began in Japan, where he was born and raised, immersing himself in the world of martial arts from a young age. He devoted himself to studying various disciplines, including karate, kendo, and shorinji kenpo, until his departure for the United States in 1985.
Upon his arrival in Seattle, Washington, Abe continued his martial arts training, delving into the renowned Jun Fan Gung Fu / Jeet Kune Do under the guidance of Taky Kimura, a protégé of the legendary Bruce Lee. This marked the beginning of his fascination with the art of Jeet Kune Do, which would later become a cornerstone of his training.
In 1989, Abe relocated to Los Angeles, where he further honed his skills in Jeet Kune Do under the tutelage of Dan Inosanto, a renowned instructor and disciple of Bruce Lee. Additionally, he explored the Filipino Martial Arts, including Kali and Eskrima, as well as the ancient art of Thai boxing.
Abe's thirst for knowledge and expertise led him to study Japanese sword-fighting, specifically shinkendo, under the esteemed Toshishiro Obata. This exposure to the traditional Japanese martial art further deepened his understanding of the cultural and historical aspects of swordsmanship.
As Abe's proficiency in martial arts continued to grow, he began to explore the world of Japanese stunt work, collaborating with Japanese stuntmen to incorporate traditional swordsmanship into film productions. This marked the beginning of his journey into the stunt business, which would ultimately lead to his introduction into the world of film and television.
In 1990, Abe entered the non-union film industry, working on various productions before joining the Screen Actors Guild (S.A.G.) in 1992. Since then, he has worked extensively as a stuntman, stunt wire rigger, fight choreographer, and stunt coordinator, training actors in the diverse martial arts required for film and television productions.
