Ryūkyū Kobudō: Modern Pioneer ~ Taira Shinken Paperback – December 3, 2025

Ryūkyū Kobudō: Modern Pioneer — Taira ShinkenThis work is a definitive compendium of the man, the master, and the indelible legacy that shaped the modern art of Ryūkyū Kobudō. Researched, translated, and revised in Okinawa by the International Ryūkyū Karate Research Society under the direction of Patrick McCarthy, this new edition revisits and refines the original 1994 publication.At its heart is Taira Shinken’s seminal 1964 volume, Ryūkyū Kobudō Taikan, presented with the foreword by the late Akamine Eisuke, then president of the Society for the Promotion and Preservation of Ryūkyū Classical Martial Arts. Surrounding it is a rich collection of rare photographs, archival material, and historically grounded commentary that illuminate both the man and the movement he revived.Produced in full colour and spanning 260 pages, this edition stands as the clearest window yet into the art’s evolution — a tribute to Taira Shinken’s vision and a resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Classical Ryūkyū Weapon Arts. Read more