Richard Kim (November 17, 1917 – November 8, 2001) was a highly respected American martial artist known for his expertise in Okinawan Kobudo, Shōrinji-ryū karate and other styles. Born in Honolulu, he began training in judo and karate as a child and later studied Daito-ryu under Kotaro Yoshida in Japan, where he lived for seven years. In 1959, Kim settled in San Francisco and dedicated himself to teaching martial arts across the U.S. and Europe, emphasizing both technique and the spiritual and philosophical aspects of budo. A prolific writer, Kim authored books such as “The Weaponless Warriors” and was honored with a posthumous 10th-degree black belt. His legacy continues through international organizations such as the Kokusai Butokukai and Zen Bei Butoku Kai.