“Welcome to the International Ryukyu Karate-jutsu Research Society [aka Ryukyu Karate-jutsu Kokusai Kenkyukai/琉球唐手術国際研究会]. We are an information based group dedicated to studying, the origins, evolution & tactical application theories of old-school karate & kobudo.
Origins
Established by Patrick McCarthy in Japan in 1988 to serve a limited group of foreign enthusiasts interested in his research and publications, the Society ultimately opened its doors to the general public in Jan 1996 to meet the numerous and varying demands of a more progressive learner.
Mindset
While we greatly respect the Japanese heritage of this tradition, and the cultural legacy of its Okinawan pioneers, our success has been built on attracting learners and educators who have outgrown overly ritualized and rule-bound practices being taught as the original fighting art, and the propaganda associated with promoting one style over another. We strongly believe that tradition is not about blindly following in the footsteps of the old masters, or even preserving their ashes for that matter, but rather keeping the flame of their spirit alive, and continually seeking out what they originally sought. Known for our thinking-outside-the-box mindset, we have been a dependable source of information helping both learners and educators successfully build bridges across styles for decades. While we’ve established a sterling reputation for our many Japanese-to-English translations of the pioneer’s writings, on-line dialogue, Journals and instructional DVDs, the principal focus of our attention is mentoring and empowering enthusiastic learners of all rank and style while helping educators better understand and develop more effective curriculums, through which to impart the functional application practices of kata; Setting precedence, our HAPV-Theory and corresponding 2-person application practices have resolved the missing link between Kata & Kumite.
Amidst our best known work is the HAPV-theory, 2-person drills, quarterly Journal, Karate Study List (KSL), instructional DVDs and comprehensive English translations which include many original books and historical documents; “The Bible of Karate – The “Bubishi,” Matsumura’s 1882 “Seven Precepts of Bu,” and his 1885 “Zaiyunomei,” Itosu’s “1908 “Ten Lessons,” Miyagi Chojun’s 1934 “Outline of “Karate-do,“ the minutes of the famous 1936 “”Meeting of the Okinawan Masters,” Motobu Choki’s “Watashi no Karate-jutsu,” Taira Shinken’s 1964 ”Encyclopaedia of Kobudo,” Funakoshi Gichin’s early [1914 thru 1934] writings, “Legend of the Fist,” Nagamine Shoshin’s “Tales of Okinawa’s Great Masters,” and “Kensei ~ Kyan Chotoku, The Man & His Art,” to name the most important ones.
Services
Our services include an on-line network for intellectual exchange among members. Our principal activity focuses on mentoring learners and teachers of traditional Japanese/Okinawan Karate/Kobudo [both classical & contemporary] through dialogue, lecture, journals, instructional DVD and special-interest activities. We have successfully built bridges across styles uniting like-minded learners all over the world for more than thirty-five years through such exchanges.
Membership
Our membership is aimed at bringing together a new generation of more progressive learner seeking to better understand the history, philosophical and technical practices of the original art… and not afraid to step outside their own peer group to find it! Our information-base brings together the product of generations of experience for the purpose of unreservedly sharing with its membership.
Do I have to be a researcher or black belt to join?
Applicants DO NOT have to be black belts nor researchers of any kind, as membership criteria is not based upon rank or knowledge… but rather, “desire to learn.”
Who Applies for Membership in the IRKRS?
Generally speaking, our membership is made up of almost exclusively of karate enthusiasts looking to better understand the history, philosophy, and technical application [kata] of the original art along with its [Japanese/Okinawan] culture, language and the biographies of its early pioneers. We have a worldwide membership from various styles, schools and organisations/associations.
* Becoming part of the Society should not be considered a division of loyalty, with one’s existing group, but rather an intelligent and dependable way of strengthening it. The IRKRS is an internationally recognised group, professional by example and unbiased by style.
If you have questions about membership or need additional information, please contact me, Patrick McCarthy, directly c/o patrick_mccarthy@mac.com