Dio Kobayashi

Dio Kobayashi (小林睦史, Kobayashi Atsushi, born August 28, 1972) is a Japanese circus performer. He is the first Japanese circus performer to become a member of the World of Top Entertainer tour. He currently works as a worldwide circus performer. His other stage names include "Kinosuke Otowa" and "Clown Joker".

Biography[edit]

Personal life[edit]

Dio Kobayashi was born in Shiga-chou, Ishikawa prefecture in 1972. After graduating from designing-arts (design class) at Hakui-industrial high school, he became a T.V. cameraman, only to change careers and become a stage performer for a production company (event co.).

He enrolled at Kinjou University in March 1997, and graduated in Japanese Traditional Art in the Department of Art in 1999. At this time, Dio was also participating in the World of Top Entertainer tour. After completing his graduation examinations at Kinjou University, he moved the activity base to the United States, transferring from Kinjou University to Columbia College.

Dio joined the World of Top Entertainer tour as its first Japanese performer. He got the title of Japanese circus performer of the only world class.

Early career[edit]

For new car presentation was being held, and Dio was asked to perform a flying trapeze act above the new automobiles so he could be filmed and used in their advertisements. Problems had occurred before the job even started; the sponsor did not offer any safety nets. If the performer was to make a mistake, he would fall on the rear view mirrors of the cars. The ropes were set 6 meters high off the ground. Not even the veteran performers were willing to take the offer because they knew this job was too dangerous, even for them. Kobayashi was the only man to raise his hand and take the job. He refuses to say that it was a gamble with his life. "I was confident because I trained with or without safety nets. I had to do it." Everything went without a hitch, and because of his triumph, he earned the name 'Dio'.

Senior career[edit]

Many Americans were impressed with Dio’s somersault acrobatics while holding 2 torches blinded on a rope. Now he plays the part of a bandit on a horse in the Disney series, ‘Mulan‘. Dio participates in the Bolijoy Circus, the Taiwan Circus, and Cirque Du Soleil in Canada as a free entertainer. Recently, he advises T.V. programs for his own shows. "I was most impressed by the powerful performances of the American performers. Magicians, Dancers, Singers, and acrobatic performers all coming together. I want to become a creative entertainer. I do not want to die being just an actor. For me to popularize the creativity of an entertainer in Japan, it would take awhile." The Hakugin show that took place in June 2001 was a proud accomplishment for Dio. He showed the people of Japan his talent and it lifted his spirits. He was aiming for the world. "Next time I stage a big event like Hakugin, I hope to perform it with the same group that I inspired. By that time they would be professionals and we would be able to perform the event." The flares in his eyes seemed to roar as he talked about the true entertainers of the world. He participated in a 2001 charity tour, 'Wa', with Toshi, vocalist of the metal band X Japan.

Dio participated in the production of the anime series Kaleido Star as a special adviser in 2002. Junichi Sato (supervisor of Sailor Moon and Ojamajo Doremi) wrote a letter to Dio asking him to participate in Kaleido Star. Dio moved to every country in the world while working in the circus. Dio agreed, and production was approved, making the TV animation possible. Moreover, this was the first time in which Dio took charge of being a special adviser to an animated series. Dio said, "I am more of an Introducer than an adviser"^{[citation needed]}. A character in the series was also named Dio in his honor.

In 2003 Dio married fashion model Yu-ko, and retired as a circus performer when his daughter was born. During Dio's marriage, he worked a variety of odd jobs. Dio's first major film role was in Princess Raccoon, a 2005 operetta directed by Seijun Suzuki, as an itinerant entertainer. He joined the CD work for Japanese musician ‘Ketsumeishi’, a popular musician among young Japanese people. He was in charge of the cast of the CD jacket. In 2005, Dio and Yu-ko divorced.

Returning to the circus performer[edit]

A new livelihood came to pass after the divorce; however, this new life for him and his daughter still posed many problems. The life of being a single father to a 3 year old greatly restricted his life. Though he could not perform, he lives in his daughter as she learns the way of the circus player. There came a time when Dio reclaimed the title of circus player, though it was not physically easy being a man over 30 years old.

Controversy[edit]

In July 1995, during one of Dio’s shows, he had asked a guest to hold a small, cigarette-like roll of paper in his mouth, and Dio would use his whip to remove it out of his mouth. He made a slight mistake, hitting and injuring the man’s nose. It was not a serious accident, and the guest forgave him, but damage had occurred deep in his heart spurring the young whip master to temporarily give up his whips. Giving up his fame, Dio returned to Ishikawa prefecture to attend Kinjou College for a teachers license.

Awards and other notables[edit]

SWAJ (Sports Whip Association Japan) Founder and Director

Performances[edit]

1996: An excellent prize of the balloon contest was won
1997: International Top Entertainer tour

('97 Japanese representative The world performance tour performer is elected and organized with one excellent person each country of the world)

1997: An excellent prize of the balloon contest was won
1998: Judge of amateur street performance contest
Volunteer group pierrot factory establishment
1998: Hokkoku Asunaro Beneficence prize winning
1998: Chief lecturer at Kanazawa city citizens art village acrobatics school
2000: Joined the Disney World Show
2000: Joined The LasVegas Circus Show
2000: Joined the Haha Chinese Circus in Taiwan
2000: Joined the Circus in Russia
2002: Chief Judge of performance Contest in Sky Festa

Art[edit]

1997: Dio’s picture was nominated in The 29th ShinInten Japanese Art section.
1997: Dio’s picture was nominated in The 21st Nisouten Japanese Art section.
1998: Dio’s picture was nominated in The 22nd Nisouten Japanese Art section.

Production[edit]

Christmas display for the Hokuriku Electric Power Company Alice pavilion.
Live performance with Toshi (X-Japan).
Coordinated the model of Japanese singer ‘Ketumeishi’ CD jacket ‘Namida’.

Books[edit]

Textbook of Circus
Overseas Travel Connected on Road

Movies[edit]

Fighter in the Shadow [short film] (2001 USA)
Princess Raccoon (2005 JAPAN)
My Girlfriend is a Cyborg (2008 JAPAN)

External links[edit]

Dio Official Homepage

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