Treasured for centuries by karate's top masters, The Bubishi is a classic Chinese work on philosophy, strategy, medicine, and technique as they relate to the martial arts. Referred to as "the bible of karate" by the famous master Miyagi Chojun, for hundreds of years The Bubishi was a secret text passed from master to student in China and later in Okinawa. All of karate's legendary masters have studied it, applied its teachings, or plagiarized from it. No other classic work has had as dramatic an impact on the shaping and development of karate as The Bubishi.
World-famous karate historian and authority Patrick McCarthy has spent over ten years researching and studying The Bubishi and the arts associated with it. This is the first English translation of this remarkable tome, and the author has included numerous explanations and notes to ease comprehension. McCarthy's work also includes groundbreaking research on Okinawan and Chinese history as well as the fighting and healing traditions that developed in those countries, making it a virtual gold mine of data for researchers and practitioners alike. For the final word on the true origins and spirit of classic Okinawan martial arts, one need look no further.