Andreas Quast

Andreas Quast is an independent author, translator, researcher, and publisher specializing in the history, theory, and technical traditions of martial arts, with a particular focus on Okinawan karate, kobudō, Japanese jūjutsu, and related combative systems. His research also encompasses the broader history, culture, and institutions of the Ryūkyū Kingdom.

His publications include Karate 1.0 (2013), A Stroll Along Ryukyu Martial Arts History (2015), Matsumura Sokon's Seven Virtues of Martial Arts (2016), Okinawan Samurai (2018), the translation of Motobu Chōki’s My Art and Skill of Karate (2020), Bo (2024), and Atemi – Origins | Theory | Application (2026), a landmark illustrated reference work documenting the historical development of striking methods, vital-point theory, and their transmission across martial traditions.

His most recent publications include Karate Kumite – Centennial Edition (2026) and A Faithful Account of Chūzan: Being an Account of the 1719–1720 Investiture Mission to the Ryūkyū Kingdom (2026), an extensively researched English translation of Xu Baoguang’s eighteenth-century account of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, accompanied by historical annotations and supplementary reference materials.

Quast began his martial arts journey in the late 20th century and deepened his studies through repeated research and training stays in Japan, including extended time in Okinawa, the birthplace of karate. His work is distinguished by direct engagement with primary historical sources, archival research, original translations, and a commitment to historical accuracy, methodological transparency, and ethical scholarship.

His contributions to martial arts research have been recognized internationally, including awards from the International Ryukyu Karate Research Society and the Ryukyu no Kaze Society. His research has also been cited in major martial arts publications, including Patrick McCarthy’s edition of *Bubishi: The Classic Manual of Combat*.

Beyond authorship, Quast has a professional background in engineering, technical communication, and industrial documentation. This analytical foundation informs his distinctive approach: combining rigorous historical investigation with clear technical presentation.

Based in Germany, Andreas Quast continues to research, translate, write, and publish independently for an international readership seeking serious, high-quality scholarship on martial arts and Ryūkyūan history.