SHINRYU

Ryuta Shimba, professionally known as SHINRYU, is a Japanese performing artist, an actor, a singer-songwriter, a music producer, a theatre director & producer, a food brand producer and an entrepreneur. He is the founder and chief executive officer of RICEball.inc (RICEBALL Entertainment), an art & entertainment production company based in Japan.
SHINRYU made his singing debut in 2021, releasing eight singles (and two singles under his real name) and his inaugural album, "INNOCENCE" by 2023. He gained recognition for his participation in the global project "Merry Christmas," collaborating with notable Academy and Grammy-nominated artists.
As a performing artist, SHINRYU has graced over 1,000 stages across Japan, Europe including France, the Netherlands, the UK, and Russia. His expertise includes authentic sword fighting performances from the traditions of the New National Theatre ("Shinkokugeki"), Japanese dance influenced by Kabuki theatre ("Bando-Ryu" and "Fujima-Ryu"), and the traditional mask dance "Okame-Hyottoko." 
SHINRYU also founded TEAM SAMURAI, a performance company contributing to cultural exchange through traditional-based performances. Notably, he earned awards for best performance and best director in a high-level theatre competition organized by the Japanese consulate general in St. Petersburg, Russia, in May 2012.
In 2023, SHINRYU established another company in Prague, for a Japanese food brand and restaurant. In his roles as a business consultant, a producer and an executive, SHINRYU has partnered with prominent organizations, including NAKED, INC., Setana Town, and FOUR-X.
==Early life and education==
SHINRYU was born and raised in Japan, where he engaged in singing, songwriting and theatrical performances during his teenage years. He obtained a law degree from Nihon University College of Law in 2008.
Following this, SHINRYU pursued English language studies at various institutions, including Boston University, where he completed the Center for English Language and Orientation Programs' (CELOP) General English Certificate. Continuing his language development, he obtained a General English Certificate from Oscars International Dublin, an institution recognized for its cultural and educational offerings in Ireland, the UK, and Cyprus. He then advanced his studies with a pre-masters certificate from Kings Oxford, where he participated in the Graduate Preparation Programme, focusing on English language tuition, presentation skills, academic writing assessment, and academic counseling for prospective master's degree pursuits.
In 2018, he completed MSc program at Oxford Brookes University, specializing in business management and entrepreneurship. SHINRYU also holds a Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership, which the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) in London has officially recognized equivalent to a Master of Arts (MA) degree in the UK.
==Career==
SHINRYU's professional background spans a wide range of industries and accomplishments. In 2008, while pursuing his studies, SHINRYU worked as a staff member at Hotel Okura Tokyo, one of Japan's top three luxury hotels.
===Performing Artist, Theatre Director and Producer===
In 2009, SHINRYU started his career as a performing artist, a theatre director, and a producer. Specializing in theatre performance, SHINRYU developed and directed productions that drew inspiration from Japanese traditions, offering unique interpretations with a modern flair. His expertise extended to authentic sword fighting performances rooted in the traditions of the New National Theatre ("Shinkokugeki"), Japanese dance influenced by the Kabuki theatre ("Bando-Ryu" & "Fujima-Ryu"), and traditional mask dance known as "Okame-Hyottoko." Additionally, he acquired European-style performance techniques during his training in France and the Netherlands in 2013 and 2017.
In 2012, SHINRYU founded TEAM SAMURAI, a performance company that gained recognition on the international stage. The company participated in a theatre competition hosted by the Japanese consulate general in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2012, contributing to the Japan-Russia cultural exchange with a traditional-based performance. SHINRYU and TEAM SAMURAI received accolades for both the best performance and the best director.
Over the course of a decade, SHINRYU accumulated a wealth of stage experience, having graced more than 1,000 stages, ranging from small theatres to mid-sized and large venues, primarily in Japan and Europe. His career as a performing artist and actor took him to countries such as France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Russia.
===Singer and Songwriter===
SHINRYU's creative journey extended into music, where he leveraged his over 10 years of experience as a singer-songwriter to make his official worldwide debut as a singer in 2021. In March 2021, he established RICEball.inc (RICEBALL Entertainment), an art & entertainment and music production company based in Japan. His participation in the "Merry Christmas" project in 2021 saw him collaborate with distinguished artists, including Oscar-nominated actor Paul Raci and Grammy-nominated electric bassist Mark Corradetti. In 2023, SHINRYU released his debut album, "INNOCENCE," under RICEBALL Entertainment.
===Business Consulting and Executive roles===
SHINRYU also possesses a background in business consulting and executive roles. He has held positions such as Global Sales & Marketing and Strategy at NAKED, Inc., a renowned Japanese creative art and design company. Additionally, he served as the regional revitalization director for Setana Town in Hokkaido. Currently, SHINRYU holds the position of International Business Development Consultant at FOUR-X.
In 2023, SHINRYU ventured into the culinary industry by establishing a company in Prague, for a Japanese food brand and restaurant located in the Czech Republic.
==Awards and recognitions==
In May 2012, SHINRYU received the Best Performance and Best Director award at a theater competition hosted by the Japanese consulate general in St. Petersburg, Russia.
==Discography==
===Singles===
* THE EAGLE (2023)
* 地球と共に~RISE WITH THE EARTH (2023)
* オドリコ (Odoriko) (2022)
* ペルソナ (Persona) (2022)
* ユメザクラ (Yumezakura) (2022)
* 人間になりてえ (Wanna be a human) c/w INNOCENCE (2022)
* ふるさと (Hometown) (2022)
* つかの間天使 (Fleeting Angel) (2022)
* SETANA ONDO (2023)
* ASAHIMARU 旭丸 c/w 紅天樓 -ホンテンロウ- (Hontenrou) (2023)
===Album===
* INNOCENCE (2023)
==Personal life==
Currently residing in the Czech Republic, SHINRYU is originally from Tokyo and has spent significant periods of his life residing in the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic.
In 2022, he underwent an artistic rebranding, transitioning from his former performing artist name, Shinnosuke Fujiwara (SHIN), to the rebranded identity of SHINRYU.
==In the media==
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==External links==
* RICEBALL Entertainment
* SHINRYU Personal website
* SHINRYU on YouTube
* 
* SHINRYU on Spotify
* SHINRYU LinkMAP
Category:Japanese performance artists
Category:Japanese actors
Category:Japanese singer-songwriters
Category:Japanese record producers
Category:People from Tokyo