Patrick McCarthy
Martial artist, author, historian
Patrick McCarthy (born December 4, 1954) is a Canadian martial arts practitioner, competitor, instructor, historian, researcher and author. He is the founder and director of the International Ryukyu Karate Research Society (IRKRS; 琉球唐手術国際研究會) and the founder of Koryū Uchinādi (古流沖縄手), overseeing an international group with about 20,000 members. His work has included extensive travel throughout Japan, Okinawa and other parts of Asia, the collection and study of historical source material, interviews with prominent martial arts teachers and the families of deceased masters, and the translation and publication of historical martial arts texts. He is particularly known for his research into the Bubishi, referred to as the “Bible of karate-do” by Miyagi Chōjun, and publishing the first English-language translation and commentary. Subsequently, Fighting Arts International called McCarthy “the foremost Western historian of karate-do.” Over several decades, he has taught martial arts internationally, conducting seminars on six continents.
External links
Facts from Wikidata Q2057797 (CC0); quoted introduction from English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22.
Data: Wikidata (CC0 1.0); Wikipedia (English) (CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.