April 1, 2006, is a day that will always be etched in our minds as one 
when the brothers and sisters of the Karate Five Association celebrated 
the grand opening of the Morristown Dojo.

Many notable martial artists participated and lent a helping hand to make 
it a successful and memorable celebration. From the Isshinryu family, we 
were honored to have several masters that included the following:

Grandmaster and Mrs. Harold Mitchum
Grandmaster JC Burris, Chairman of the IIKA
Grandmaster Tommy True, President of the IIKA
Grandmaster and Mrs. Denny Shaffer, and a team of Red Dragons
Master Butch Hill, Master Wayne Wayland, Master Jerry Smith, Master 
Kelly Markham, Master Doyle Seeber, and others.

From the martial arts discipline of Chi-Kung Kung Fu, the presence and 
participation of Grandmaster Floyd Mims and three of his black sashes 
honored us.
   

The festivities began with the presentation of colors by the Color Guard of the 
VFW Post No. 5266. The singing of the national anthem by City of Morristown 
Commissioner J.C. Wilson followed this. Fredrick “Butch” Brabson of the Karate 
Five, and Pastor of The New Covenant Baptist Church gave the invocation.

The puppet show by New Covenant Impact Puppet Ministry was a hit. It got every 
ones attention. The puppets, with Master Wilson’s help, then introduced the special
 guests in attendance.

The theme for the karate demonstrations that followed was to show that the knowledge 
was being handed down from the Masters to the Senseis then to the karate-kas.

A team from the Karate Five Dojo took the floor and demonstrated a variety of kicks 
and punches that are routinely utilized in the Isshinryu system. Grandmaster Mitchum 
explained the fundamentals of the katas and then demonstrated the Seisan Kata. He 
did it with such intensity that it reminded us of the way Master Shimabuku did it during 
his 1966 visit with us at the dojo. Instructor Sensei Anston Wilson followed with a 
demonstration of the Chinto Kata, and Karate ka Kayla Manning the Wansu Kata. 
They performed their katas in award winning fashion.


   
   

 
Grandmaster JC Burris explained the inclusion of weapons into karate, and then demonstrated 
the Chanten Yara No Sai Kata. He performed it in such a manner that the audience could identify 
the movements of the sais and the intended use of the techniques. One of Grandmaster Shaffer’s 
Dragons, Junior Sensei Jacob Gallman, demonstrated the Tokumeni No Kun Bo Kata. That was 
a crowd pleaser.

Grandmaster Shaffer took charge of a shiai style team competition. He divided the attending karate 
kas into four teams, and kumite followed. The crowd was dazzled by the proficiency of the competitors 
of all ages. Everyone agreed that all the competitors were winners.

The celebration took a break at this point for the give away of some 30 door prizes and the award of 
a special trophy to Grandmaster Mitchum. Also, specialty snap-on red belts with the Mizu Gami on 
the buckle, that were made by Instructor Naomi Mason, were awarded to Grandmasters Mitchum, Burris, 
and True.

   
   

 
 Master William Mason and the Morristown team then took the floor and demonstrated some Modern 
Arnis techniques. The action was fast and very spectacular. Master Butch Hill demonstrated his 
grappling prowess on the center mats. He demonstrated a variety of attacks and defenses. The crowd 
seemed to get into that action.

Grandmaster Floyd Mims and the holders of Black Sashes were on the mats to demonstrate Chi-Kung 
and Mastering The Art of Breathing. A group of Red Dragons assisted him in the demonstration. 
Master Mims demonstrated techniques to end conflicts quickly and decisively. He advocated the importance 
of proper breathing while practicing the martial arts.

The Karate Five team took center stage to demonstrate the different mat techniques that the karate kas 
practice. This included throws…rolls…falls…and others. The team then demonstrated self-defense 
techniques. The main emphasis was on utilizing the bunkai from the katas, and capping the defensive 
technique with finishing applications from the mixed bag of martial arts weapons in the karate kas 
possession. Members of the team then demonstrated the power of the karate techniques by breaking 
boards. Master Brabson simulated a multiple attackers situation by breaking one-inch boards held by 
four different individuals. Instructor Anston Wilson received a high round of applause when he broke eight 
one-inch boards with a shuto.

   
   

 
The events of the day ended with more awards. Master Wilson gave special Thank You awards to 
Grandmaster Shaffer, Master Hill, and  Grandmaster Mims. Master Shaffer reciprocated by 
awarding Master Wilson a Dragon Forever tab. This is one that Master Wilson will treasure forever. 
The karate Five Association Masters from the Knoxville and Morristown Dojos surprised Master 
Wilson with appreciation and “thank you” awards for his devotion and endless efforts to lead the 
Association. In the tradition that Master Bohan started, Master Wayland awarded the New 
Morristown Dojo a pair of specialty sais. A more detailed story on this will be published on our 
Special Honor section of our web page.

By the end of the day, it was clear that the Spirit of the Brotherhood of Isshinryu is alive and well. 
Our thanks and appreciation goes to all the masters and karate kas that gave their time and effort 
to make this a memorable day.
 

Many people will walk in and out of your life.

                      Only true friends will leave footprints in your heart!

                                Isshinryu-One Heart