Karate Five Association

Since its inception, Karate Five's Dojo black belts are trained in and hold rank in different martial arts disciplines. Cross training includes Isshinryu, Sanuces Ryu, Vee Jitsu and Modern Arnis. Karate Five's black belts are recognized and well respected in martial arts circles.  Their demonstrations over the decades have been performed on television, in schools, at civic (indoor/outdoor) events, church as well as Karate Five event sponsored tournaments, workshops and seminars.

Several of our Karate Five masters have been honored with multiple inductions in the Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame (IHOF) and World Karate Union Hall of Fame (WKU). Our students receive first class martial arts training and routinely place in the winning brackets at competitions and tournaments.

Master Harold Long learned the Isshinryu style of karate in the 1950's from Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku while serving in the U.S. Marines in Okinawa. When Master Long returned home he began teaching karate in Knoxville, Tennessee in the late 1950's.  Two of the original "five" were Master Willie Wilson and Master Melbert Lee Sr.

Isshin Ryu

Grandmaster Shimabuku was born in Okinawa in 1906 and is the creator of Isshinryu who first won recognition for his karate abilities during a large martial arts festival in the Fatima village. He performed the katas in such a powerful and meaningful manner, his reputation througout Okinawa reached a peak early in World War II.

Although he began his study of Shuri-ti Karate at the age of 8 and after receiving a degree of skill in this system, he went on to formal training in Kobayshi-Ryu, first under Chotoku Klyan and then later under Choki-Motobu--both also studied the art of the bo and sal as well as the tul-fa (Tonfa). After the war he became recognized througout Okinawa as the leading practitioner of both Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu.

Shortly after World War II, he considered combining the various styles of karate into one style but met with resistance. The Masters of the different systems feared loss of identity and position. However Master Shimabuku decided to proceed with his idea without their approval and on January 15, 1954 in the village of Chun, Isshinryu was born.

Karate Five's Isshinryu Symbol, Logo and Martial Arts System Patches. For a closer view of the images below, click on this link, K-5 Logos and Patches:

Karate Five's Black Belts:

Grandmaster Willie G. Wilson, Ju Dan (10th) Degree Black Belt (Sanuces Ryu) and Ku Dan (9th)                       Degree Black Belt (Isshinryu)
Master Melbert Lee Jr., Schichi Dan (7th) Degree Black Belt
Master Linda Wilson, Schichi Dan (7th) Degree Black Belt

Grandmaster Maurice Msarsa, Ku Dan (9^th) Degree Black Belt
Instructor Lee Sloan, Roku Dan (6^th) Degree Black Belt
Instructor Kenneth “Slim” Jenkins, San Dan (3^rd) Degree Black Belt
Instructor Anston Wilson, Roku Dan (6^th) Degree Black Belt
Sensei Jon Whitehead, Go Dan (5th) Degree Black Belt

Instructor Charlsie “CJ” Burnett, Ni Dan (2nd) Degree Black Belt
Instructor Marcus Campbell, Ni Dan (2nd) Degree Black Belt