JUST KARATE INTERVIEW WITH HANSHI PATRICK MCCARTHY
We are privileged at Just Karate to have Hanshi Patrick McCarthy for our monthly interview; Hanshi Patrick McCarthy 9th Dan began his training in the 60's and came up through the ranks with good old-fashioned hard traditional type karate training. In the 80's he relocated to Japan, and became widely recognized for his field studies and historical-based writings. His ground breaking research, several books, including the best-selling publication “The Bubishi,” now translated into several languages, have been published everywhere during the 90’s.
He’s even responsible for establishing the world’s first University-level undergraduate Diploma of Martial Arts Instruction program in the new millennium. The success of his international seminars has made him one of the most sought after master instructors anywhere in the world. He forged his identity on the tournament floor in kata, kumite and kobudo during the 70's amidst fierce and talented competition.
I will pass you over now to John Kelly (interviewer) and Hanshi McCarthy for an insight into his lifelong martial journey.
Q1-JK: Where and what year did you start your martial arts journey?
I started training in 1964 after watching a provocative documentary produced by the Canadian Film Board on Canadian Judoka, Doug Rogers who had won the national and world championship followed by a silver medal at the 1964 Olympic games in Tokyo.
Q2-JK: What attracted you to this life long study and discipline?
Well, in the beginning it was the childhood fantasy of becoming a warrior-like champion . As life progressed I searched for my identity in the competitive arena and felt empowered by the incredible fitness and confidence I achieved. As I considered an occupation for life I hated the idea of “giving up” the fighting arts and found a way to convert a passion into a profession.
Q3-JK: Who was your first Sensei?
It was a Judo instructor named Carl “Dutchi” Schell in Saint John, NB, Canada, and my first karate instructor was Adrian Gomes, then a university student at UNB.
Q4-JK: Who was the most inspirational Sensei you have trained under and why?
Hmmm, this is an interesting question as I have enjoyed being mentored by several very talented instructor’s, all of whom have influenced me in different ways, however, I guess Richard Kim [founder of the Zen Bei Butokukai] would have to be the most inspirational of all. Kim sensei helped shape my transition from adolescence to adulthood and taught me the meaning of [self-] respect, honour, loyalty, gratitude and compassion.
Q4-JK: You have competed in most countries over the years at very tough and top level competition also with many famous martial artists from the film industry, what were those years like and can you tell us of a few memorable moments?
Apart from the incredible experience that traveling and meeting powerful people bestows upon a young and impressionable mind what I remember most is the passion that alpha-athletes and actors had for their crafts. I borrowed liberally from those experiences in an effort to find my own way.
Q5-JK: Can you tell us more about Koryu Uchinadi and what it offers?
Based upon classical tradition KU is contemporary interpretation of those 19th century predecessor fighting arts from which modern Karate surfaced. While it is certainly learned, practiced and taught as an independent art all on its own, it is widely embraced by many Karate styles throughout the world for its unique and highly functional 2-person application drills. Linking kata to kumite, the drills are contextual premise-based and focus exclusively upon those habitual acts of physical violence [HAPV] from which the art of self-defence evolved; in other words, they are NOT style-based! I think this is the single reason why they’re attracted such worldwide interest. KU’s 2-person application practices can fit comfortably under the foundation of any style and strengthen its curriculum without adversely affecting its cosmetic appearance.
Q6-JK: Your IRKRS (International Ryukyu Karate-jutsu Research Society) http://www.irkrs-ireland.com is very interesting and educational to any martial artist, can you tell us more about this and how it began?
The “Society” really evolved as an outgrowth from the kind of work/study I’d been doing in Japan. I had been longtime supporter of Donn Draeger’s work and later a member of the Japan Martial Arts Society [JMAS] and understood the value of like-minded people coming together to form study groups. By the late 1980’s JMAS was falling quietly dormant and its chairman, Phil Relnick, offered me an official position with the group in an effort to help it pick up some clerical momentum. Much of the JMAS membership at that time was made up of Koryu-based stylist, Jo, Iai and Aikido enthusiasts but my interests were predominantly Karate-based. Even though I was very passionate about swordsmanship, a member of the Tenshin Shodent Katori Shinto Ryu, and avidly attending a lot of the same traditional functions as JMAS members were, including the annual Budo University symposiums, I felt my interests would be better served amidst a karate-based group. In 1988 about a dozen or so Japan-based foreign residents met for the first time to establish the IRKRS.
During that time our group used to meet at my dojo in Fujisawa where we’d enjoy training, discussing various related study issues and finish the session down at the local izakaya [pub] with a cold beer, etc. With my written articles appearing in various international magazines [Black Belt, Fighting Arts International, Bugeisha, Dojo, JAMA, & Furyu, etc.] we became known as a unique group and gradually attracted an international following of researchers, writers and authors.
Relocating to Australia in June of 1995 changed the dynamics considerably and within six months we opened our doors to better accommodate a general membership. With the emergence of the internet in 1996 our membership grew from a few hundred to a few thousand. Having grown exponentially over the years we are now more than fifty countries and enjoy the reputation of having set precedence being the very first traditional style-free organisation of its kind anywhere in the world.
Q7-JK: What other styles have you studied over the years?
The question might be better served asking the opposite; what styles haven’t I studied? The very nature of my position demands nothing less than needing to “study them all!” I’m not sure, however, if style-based enthusiasts understand how such a thing is possible. Let me try to explain; it’s widely accepted that the practical origins of Karate lay in the ability to simply defend oneself. Therefore, if we look at such an art from the outcomes backwards [i.e., what is the actual intended goal of learning/training] we can better understand the practical application of its techniques. In order to best understand this it becomes necessary to identify what common ground all karate shares!
The contextual premise upon which all karate is based, as a means of self-defence, is the human body and the habitual acts of physical violence [HAPV]. From a tactical point of view this is not terribly difficult to grasp especially when one can watch physical demonstrations of escapes, counters and how defensive and offensive techniques were meant to be used. Keeping in mind that practical function is represented by solo form [form equals function] when various techniques are fused together into geometrical configurations something greater than the sum total of their individual parts is created; kata.
Irrespective of the propaganda surrounding the stylistic differences between various kata its techniques are aimed at resolving generic issues. Once this is understood the rest is really quite academic. It’s only when we start to immerse ourselves in propaganda, which tends to focus of self-promotion, “purity” and or “sanctity” of style, its political nature is to blow out one’s candle in order to make its burn brighter! In truth, and beyond cosmetic difference, all karate is the same… what differs nowadays are newly emerging training curricula and the ever rule-bound competitive arena.
Q8-JK: What are your likes and dislikes about karate today?
Absolutely nothing… I love karate in all its many forms; it’s the ego-maniacs, politicians and sociopaths I have problems with!
Q9-JK: You teach all over the World and on a few occasions in Ireland, are you planning any seminars in Ireland in the near future and where can martial arts enthusiasts find more information on KU and the IRKRS?
Thank you … Interested parties can find us on-line c/o www.koryu-uchinadi.com and or contact me directly c/opatrick_mccarthy@mac.com FYI, the IRKRS has no shortage of highly skilled and fully accredited instructors who frequently travel and teach seminars all over the world. Several of our senior European instructors will be also be teaching [Koryu Uchinadi, Yamane Ryu Kobudo & Aiki Kenpo Jujutsu] in Ireland this year and anyone interested in participating is welcome to contact our national representatives: Damien Walker - damienwalker@yahoo.co.uk , Damien Costello - damien.costello@gmail.com and or Damian Murphy - damodai@gmail.com
Q10-JK: You have studied and lived in Japan for many years, this would be a dream for many martial artists, tell us more about this and how it helped and influenced you?
Donn Draeger told me that if I wanted to better understand the art of Karate I should consider visiting Japan, studying its culture and learning its language. Budo, of which Karate is an integral part, is like a microcosm of the culture from which it comes … a miniature representation of its customs, ways and social behaviors, etc. Marrying a Japanese, learning the language and living in that interesting culture for so many years provided me with wonderful insights and deep understandings about the art. While I don’t believe it necessarily makes a person “better at Karate,” it most certainly will make them more informed! I’d certainly recommend visiting Japan for anyone who’s never been there… you’ll be surprised just how much you can learn … about yourself!
Q11-JK: You have published and translated many books; can you tell us of some and the in-depth research that is involved in each publication?
Much of my research has been culminated in the development of the HAPV-theory, systematization of 2-person drills, and articles which appear in 15-years of IRKRS quarterly Journal. Our on-line Karate Study List (KSL), instructional DVDs and comprehensive English translations, which include “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 “Karatedo,“ the minutes of the famous 1936 “Meeting of the Okinawan Masters,” Motobu Choki’s “Watashi no Karate-jutsu,” Taira Shinken’s 1964 “Encyclopedia of Kobudo,” Funakoshi Gichin’s early [1914 thru 1934] writings, and “Nagamine Shoshin’s “Tales of Okinawa’s greatest Masters,” to name the most important ones. The journey of discovery has taken me all over the world, including India, Egypt, throughout Africa and SE Asia, and China, including the famed Shaolin Temple.
Q12-JK: In all your years studying and competing, what was your most memorable experience?
Finding the courage to become who I am as the only thing that separates desire from success is discipline.
Q13-JK: What is your most favourite quote?
It’s about acceptance, patience and change; "There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly"
Q14-JK: Can you tell us in your own words the importance of having an open mind in ones study and journey in martial arts?
It prevents you from making unnecessary compromises, becoming a minion and a follower. It allows you to be true to yourself, search for continual improvement while chasing your goals and living your dreams.
Hanshi McCarthy it was an honour and a privilege and I would like to thank you for agreeing to do this interview for our new sensei interview profile on JUST KARATE. - Osu
The pleasure is mine. Thank you
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