Grand Master Denny Shaffer interview  Part 1
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QUESTION 1:  Master Shaffer, what effect did it have on you when you found out that
Master Long had nominated you for the  World Union Hall Fame in 1997 and 1998 and 
Master Maurice Msarsa and Master Willie Wilson in 2005?

ANSWER:  I WAS VERY SURPRISED HONORED, FLATTERED AND FRUSTRATED. 
MY SURPRISE WAS TWO FOLD.   I NEVER KNEW HE HAD NOMINATED ME, AS I 
WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY THE WUHF.  I WAS ALSO SURPRISED THAT HE DID IT 
TWICE, AS HE WAS NOT THE KIND OF MAN TO GIVE YOU TWO CHANCES.  I'M 
FRUSTRATED IN  THAT I WAS JUST BACK FROM A SEVEN YEAR HIATUS, AND IT
WAS HIS WAY OF SAYING WELCOME BACK,  ALL IS FORGIVEN.  I HOPE HE KNOWS
HOW HAPPY I AM TO FIND THIS OUT.  AS TO THE NOMINATION BY  MASTERS
MSARSA AND WILSON, THAT TOO IS AN HONOR, BUT OF A DIFFERENT KIND. 
BEING SPONSORED FOR SOMETHING BY YOUR PEERS IS THE ULTIMATE
COMPLIMENT, ESPECIALLY TWO SUCH ACCOMPLISED  PEERS AS THESE.  SO
MANY PEOPLE ACQUIRE A POSITION OF HONOR AND FORGET TO PASS IT ON.  
IT'S PART OF THE SELFISHNESS AND SELF IMPORTANCE THAT PLAGUES 
ISSHIN-RYU TODAY.  I AM HUMBLED TO ACCEPT THEIR KINDNESS. IT SHOULD
ALSO BE NOTED THAT HANSHI PHIL LITTLE NOMINATED ME AT A TIME WHEN IT
WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO ACCEPT.

QUESTION 2: Some martial artist have asked what you would do to make a difference if
 you were leading an organization like IIKA, or even USIKA, or any of the other organizations.

ANSWER: FIRST OF ALL, YOU HAVE MENTIONED TWO OF THE TOP ASSOCIATIONS. 
I HAVE VERY GOOD FRIENDS  ON BOTH BOARDS.  I AM ALSO CLOSE TO TWO OTHER
ASSOCIATION HEADS AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS.  ON A LARGER
SCALE, THEY FACE THE SAME CHALLENGES  I DO IN RUNNING A DOJO.  WE ARE 
NOT MEMBERS OF AN ASSOCIATION SO I SHOULD BE CAREFUL IN SECOND GUESSING.
BUT, SO AS NOT TO APPEAR TO DUCK YOUR QUESTION, HERE IS WHAT I WOULD DO
IF I STEPPED INTO LEADERSHIP  OF A BOARD. MOST IMPORTANTLY I WOULD MAKE
SURE THAT I HAD SOME FIRE IN MY BELLY.  IF I DIDN'T REALLY WANT THE JOB I 
WOULD NOT TAKE IT.  IF I TOOK IT, I WOULD RUN IT LIKE ANY BOARD THAT IT'S
MAJOR PURPOSE  IS THE CONTINUING PROGRESS AND EDUCATION OF ITS MEMBERS. 
I WOULD GET RID OF THE DEAD WEIGHT AND GET SOME FRESH MOVERS AND SHAKERS.
IF QUALIFIED PEOPLE EXISTED I WOULD MAKE SURE THE BOARD HAD  RACIAL AND
GENDER BALANCE. I WANT EVERY MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION TO LOOK AT THE
BOARD AS A POSIBLE FUTURE PLACE FOR THEM.  I WOULD NOT, HOWEVER, PUT
SOMEONE ON A BOARD JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE A MINORITY OR WHITE. THAT’S 
AN INSULT TO EVERYONES INTELLIGENCE.  IF I HAD NO ONE THAT WAS QUALIFIED,
I'D START GROOMING SOMEONE.  EVERYONE WANTS TO LOOK AT A BOARD AND SEE
SOMEONE LIKE THEM.  A LOT  OF PEOPLE NOW ARE RELUCTANT TO TAKE CHARGE. I
HAVE HEARD IT SAID THAT WE AREN'T GOING TO RUN THINGS LIKE MR. LONG.  
CONSEQUENTLY SOME ORGANIZATIONAL HEAD MEN HAVE TAKEN THE TOP AMONG
EQUALS LEADERSHIP STYLE.  IF YOU ARE A GOOD ORGANIZER AND DELEGATOR THAT
IS OK.  IF NOT, EVERYONE JUST SITS AND MAKES SUGGESTIONS THAT NO ONE IS GOING
TO FOLLOW UP ON.  I SAY, BE YOURSELF IN LEADERSHIP, BUT LEAD,  FOLLOW, OR GET
OUT OF THE WAY.  MR. LONG WAS AN ICON AND THE UNCHALLENGED LEADER. THE 
REST OF US ALL GREW UP TOGETHER, SO MOST HAVE FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO 
FORCEFULLY TAKE THE LEAD, RECEIVE THE BLESSINGS  FROM THE REST, OR SECURE
THEIR OWN IDENTITY.  MR. LONG WAS NOT AFRAID TO MAKE PEOPLE MAD OR KICK ASS
IN THE NAME OF PROGRESS.  HE ALSO HAD A PLAN AND WANTED TO LEAD.  MOST
NOW ARE EITHER TRYING TO BE  HAROLD LONG OR TRYING NOT TO BE.  I DON'T 
ENVY THEIR DELIMMA.  IF THEY GET TOUGH THE ARE CALLED ARROGANT. IF THEY
ARE TOO EASY THEY ARE CALLED LOUSY LEADERS.  WHEN SOMEONE GOES INTO A 
ROOM, GETS  IN TOUCH WITH THEIR TRUE IDENTITY, AND UNDERSTANDS ALL THE 
RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEADERSHIP, THEN COMES SWINGING, EVERYONE WILL RUN 
TO THAT ASSOCIATION.

QUESTION 3: You have the Dragon Jam every year, and it has become very popular and
 rewarding,  why do you have it as invitation only?

ANSWER:  THE INVITATION IDEA CAME WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GET SOME  HEAVY
DUTY ISSHIN-RYU LEADERS TOGETHER THAT WERE NOT ALL THAT INTERESTED IN
EACH OTHER.  AFTER MR. LONG DIED THERE WERE A LOT OF QUESTIONS LEFT 
UNANSWERED, AS TO WHY SOME PROMOTIONS, AND WERE SOME OF THEM LEGIT. 
IT MADE  FOR A LOT OF HARD FEELINGS.  I PUSHED THE NEUTRAL CORNER IDEA AT
THE JAM, AND THE NON POLITICAL EXCHANGE OF IDEA'S.  I THINK IT HELPED.  
LATER IT EVOLVED INTO A WORKING MASTERS AND COMPETITOR THING.  I WANTED
GUYS AND WOMEN WHO WERE STILL PUSHING THE ENVELOPE AND WERE STILL TRAINING.  
SO I NARROWED IT DOWN TO PEOPLE WHO HAD SOMETHING TO SAY AND SHOW OF 
INTEREST AND VALUE.  IT  REMAINS THAT CONCEPT TODAY.  THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE
COME HAVE MADE IT EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL AS I  KNEW THEY WOULD.

QUESTION 4: You have a diversified school, what effect has it had for the school?
 
ANSWER:  IT SOUNDS CORNY BUT IT HAS HELPED ALL OF US UNDERSTAND ALL OF SOCIETY
BETTER.  PEOPLE  DON'T JUST DROP OUT OF THE SKY INTO CLASS. THEIR REAL LIFE 
EXPERIENCES ARE THE SAME, BLACK OR WHITE. WE ALL WATCHED, "REMEMBER THE TITANS" 
TOGETHER ONE NIGHT AND THEN DISCUSSED IT.  IT WAS A VERY  EDUCATIONAL NIGHT.

QUESTION 5:  What you see now, how would you have helped women and minorities involved 
years ago in the development  of Isshinryu karate

ANSWER:  I HONESTLY DON'T SEE ANY MORE THAT I COULD HAVE DONE. THE VERY NATURE 
OF THE MARTIAL ARTS KEEP WOMEN IN THE MINORITY, JUST AS THE NATURE OF SERVING 
IN MILITARY COMBAT SITUATIONS DO.   MOST WOMEN ARE NOT INTERESTED IN ANYTHING 
THAT HAS A GREAT DEAL OF PHYSICAL CONTACT.  A DOJO IS STRONGLY MASCULINE.  THE
TYPE OF WOMAN WHO CAN HANG IN THAT ATMOSPHERE IS THE MINORITY OF A MINORITY. 
RACIAL MINORITIES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHALLENGE.  MOST OF WE MASTERS STARTED 
DURING  OR JUST AFTER INTEGRATION.  WE WENT TO WHITE SCHOOLS, LIVED IN ALL WHITE
SECTIONS OF TOWN AND HAD  ALL WHITE DOJO'S.  IT WASN'T UNTIL 1976 THAT I HAD MY 
FIRST BLACK STUDENT.  ALTHO WE WERE OPEN FOR  MORE, WE NEVER GOT THAT MANY. 
I WAS TOLD EACH TIME THAT THEY WEREN'T COMFORTABLE IN A PREDOMINANTLY WHITE
DOJO.  I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT THEN.  I DO NOW.  I THINK OUR WHOLE SOUTHERN  ISSHIN-RYU
AREA WAS LIKE THAT. SO THE CLIMATE WAS VERY WHITE.  IT STILL IS, AND I DON'T KNOW 
WHY.I HAVE A THEORY BUT IT IS BASE ONLY OWN MY EXPERIENCE AND DOJO.THE AGE OF 
INTEREST IN KARATE HAS SHIFTED TO KIDS. OR SHOULD I SAY PARENTS OF KIDS WHO HAVE
ATTENTION, AND OR LEARNING DISORDERS.  BLACK CHILDREN DO NOT GET THE SAME FREE 
PASS FOR CONDUCT AS WHITE KIDS DO.  WHITE KIDS CULTURE  INCLUDES A LOT OF DOCTOR 
VISITS AND INTELLECTUAL CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN PARENT, AND DOCTORS  THAT TREAT 
SYMPTOMS RATHER THAN THE CAUSE.  BLACK KIDS USUALLY HAVE TO WING IT.  MOM (OFTEN
WITH  THE ABSENCE OF A FATHER IN THE HOME) HAS TO HOLD THOSE TWO JOBS, AND JUST 
MAKE IT DAY TO DAY.  ALSO MONEY FOR KARATE LESSONS DO NOT RATE HIGH ON THE PRIORITY
LIST.  IT IS ALL A MATTER OF ECONOMICS, AND CULTURE.  THE OLDER BLACK KIDS SEE KARATE 
ONLY AS A WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF.  MOST BLACK KIDS  KNOW THAT VERY EARLY ON.  NOW
HERE IS SOMETHING CONTROVERSIAL BUT TRUE IN THIS AREA.  WHITE KIDS  OFTEN JOIN TO 
LEARN HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THE BLACK KIDS.  BLACK KIDS ARE MORE 
PHYSICALLY MATURE, MENTALLY TOUGHER, AND HAVE BEEN TAUGHT NOT TO TAKE ANY
CRAP FROM FROM  ANYONE, ESPECIALLY A WHITE PERSON.  AS YOUNG PEOPLE WILL, THEY
ASSERT THEMSELVES PHYSICALLY.  AT ONE TIME OUR DOJO WAS ALMOST 50/50 BLACK AND 
WHITE.  ALMOST ALL MY BLACK STUDENTS LEFT DUE TO ECONOMIC STRESS, WHICH MEANT
ANOTHER JOB OR MORE INTEREST IN SCHOOL RELATED SPORTS.  I FEEL  OUR DOJO IS A SMALL
MICROCOSM OF THE REST OF THE REAL WORLD.   THERE ARE SOME REALITIES IN LIFE 
THAT PREVAIL NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY.

QUESTION 6: What legacy would you like to leave martial artist to remember you by?

ANSWER:  THE LEGACY I HAVE ASPIRED FOR HAS ALMOST BEEN ACHIEVED. AFTER FORTY 
YEARS YOU SHOULD  HAVE ACHIEVED SOMETHING.  I HAVE A LINAGE OF SEVERAL GOOD
ACTIVE MASTERS WHO HAVE CREATED A LINAGE OF THEIR OWN.  MY FIRST NASHVILLE
GUYS AND GIRLS HAVE MORE THAN DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES.   MY FIRST GROUP OF
BLACK BELTS PRODUCED SOME OUTSTANDING MASTERS: PHIL MCELROY, JIM MCDONALD, 
ROY VAUGHNE, JIMBO BUTLER, AND JEFF SANDERS TO NAME A FEW.  I GOT THE NEXT GROUP 
TO BROWN BELTS BEFORE PHIL, MAC, AND ROY TOOK OVER. THEY ARE A TERRIFIC GROUP 
ALSO: BUTCH HILL, DAVID GABBARD,  SANDRA STRONG, TRICE FASIG, AND RANDALL BUTLER.
I GOT MASTER KELLY MARKHUM TO BLUE BELT UNTIL  HE MOVED BACK TO ROGERSVILLE.
I HAVE TO TAKE SOME CREDIT FOR TONY WILLIAMS OF WHOM I AM VERY PROUD.  RIGHT
NOW I WANT TO SEE MY ANDERSON GUYS ACHIEVE THE SAME SUCCESS OF THE NASHVILLE
PEOPLE. THEY ARE JUST AS HARD WORKING AND JUST AS DESERVING.  I AM HOPING THE 
LIKES OF ROCKY LATIMER,  JASON ANZUR, DAN DYE, LEON SCOTT, AND DARRIN MOTES, IN 
MY ADULT GROUP, WILL ACHIEVE THE MASTERS  RANK AND MORE.  I ALSO HOPE THAT MY
IDEALS AND LOVE FOR ISSHIN-RYU WILL BE PASSED ON.  I HOPE MY  STUDENTS SAY THAT I 
WAS A HARD ASS, INSTRUCTOR THAT TREATED EVERYONE EQUAL, AND NEVER ASKED 
THEM TO DO ANYTHING I WASN'T WILLING TO DO MYSELF.   I HOPE THEY HAVE THE COURAGE
OF THEIR  CONVICTION WHEN IT COMES TO REPRESENTING ME AS THEIR INSTRUCTOR AND
THEMSELVES AS AN INSTRUCTOR.  I HOPE THEY WILL ALWAYS LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND 
NEVER BECOME A POOR ONE.  I HOPE THEY WILL ALWAYS TEACH ISSHIN-RYU AS A COMBAT
STYLE AND NEVER SELL OUT FOR A COMMERCIAL VENTURE.  I WOULD RATHER THEY CLOSE
THEIR DOORS TEACHING THE TRUE WAY, THAN STAY OPEN TEACHING CRAP.  ISSHIN-RYU IS 
TAUGHT BY TOUGH PEOPLE TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO BECAME TOUGHER BECAUSE OF IT.  IT IS
NOT FULL CONTACT AEROBICS.  DANCING IS A CONTACT ACTIVITY.  ISSHIN-RYU IS A HITTING 
ACTIVITY.  IN  1954 MASTER SHIMABUKU STARTED GIVING THAT IMPRESSION TO SOME OF 
THE BEST THERE WILL EVER BE. ONE OF THEM (MR. LONG OF COARSE) GAVE THAT IMPRESSION
TO ME. I HOPE THAT NO ONE I HAVE EVER TRAINED EVER LOSES THAT MESSAGE IN 
TRANSLATION.  IF NOT, THEN MY LEGACY WILL BE GUARANTEED

QUESTION 7: Master Shaffer in your opinion what is one major factor that is hurting or harming the growth
 of Isshinryu karate?

ANSWER:  THE AGING OF OUR LEADERS.  SOME HAVE JUSTIFIABLY LOST THEIR FIRE, AND 
ARE NO LONGER DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS, AS MR. LONG DID.  I'M TALKING ABOUT
DEVELOPING TRUE BELIEVERS.  BELIEF  IN THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND THE OBLIGATION
TO THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US.  THE NEXT FEW 
 
TOURNAMENTS YOU GO TO, LOOK AT THE RANKING PEOPLE AND SEE HOW MANY OF THE 
BLACK BELTS CAN AND WILL FILL THEIR SHOES.

QUESTION 8 I know you left the IIKA Board, what were some of the circumstances?

ANSWER:  I DON'T MAKE A REALLY GREAT FOLLOWER.  I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAD EITHER, 
SO I TOOK THAT OTHER  OPTION; I GOT OUT OF THE WAY.  .I STILL SUPPORT THEM IN MANY
WAYS, BUT OUR DOJO IS NEUTRAL AND HAS A UNIQUE SITUATION. WE ARE GEOGRAPHICALLY
ISOLATED WHICH MAKES ATTENDING EVENTS DIFFICULT.  I AM  A KU-DAN WITH STRONG
TIES AND ACCESS TO OTHER MASTERS FOR TRAINING AND FURTHER EDUCATION FOR  MY
STUDENTS AND ME.  FOR OUR SCHOOL IT MAKES AN ASSOCIATION UNNECESSARY.  IF I  WAS
A YOUNG UP AND  COMER, I WOULD JOIN AN ASSOCIATION FOR THE MANY DOORS IT CAN OPEN. 
BUT AS I HAVE SAID, LOOK AT THE  HEAD GUY. YOU ARE JOINING HIM AS WELL AS THE 
ASSOCIATION.

QUESTION 9.  In the last 10 years, has Isshinryu grown, stabilized or regressed?

ANSWER:  I FEEL IT HAS STABILIZED, BUT IN A PRECARIOUS WAY.  I HAVE ALREADY ALLUDED
TO MY CONCERNS  FOR IT'S FUTURE IN QUESTION SEVEN.  WE HAVE SOME INTERNAL ISSUES 
AT THIS TIME WITH GENERAL LEADERSHIP  THAT NEEDS SOME WORK BEFORE ISSHIN-RYU
CAN GROW AGAIN.  WE HAVE THE CONCEPT BUT WE HAVE LOST OUR COMMON GOAL 
PHILOSOPHY.  NO CONCEPT CAN ENDURE WITHOUT A PHILOSOPHY.

QUESTION 10: What effect do you see when the Red Dragons enter a tournament on the opposition?

ANSWER:  UH OH !!   WITH FOUR TOURNAMENTS TO ATTEND THIS YEAR, I'M NOT ANSWERING
THAT ONE....HA! WE ARE JUST GOING TO TRY TO HANG IN THERE AND LEARN A LITTLE
SOMETHING........OUR RED GI TOPS IRRITATE  SOME OF THE TRADITIONALIST, BUT SO DID 
OUR ALL BLACK GI'S IN 1966.  I HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO DO THINGS  THAT INSTILL UNITY AND
MORALE AND GIVE OUR STUDENTS A SENSE OF IDENTITY.  WHEN I PUT SHAFFER'S TEAM NASHVILLE
ON THE BACK OF OUR GI'S LONG AGO IT STARTED A CHANT...TEAM...TEAM…TEAM.  NOW OUR 
RED DRAGON CHANT IS WHOO WHAAAA.  I DON'T NOW; IT PROBABLY JUST MAKE PEOPLE WANT
TO KICK OUR  BUTTS JUST THAT MUCH MORE.

QUESTION 11:  Your new family how has it enriched your growth in the martial arts?

ANSWER:  I MARRIED SOMEONE IN 1989 (NOW MY EX WIFE) WHO HAD A TOTAL LACK OF INTEREST, 
TO INCLUDE  REFUSING TO GO TO EVENTS, OR WATCH ME PARTICIPATE IN ANY WAY.  THAT HAD 
MORE OF A NEGATIVE EFFECT  THAN I REALIZED.  COUPLED WITH SOME OTHER PERSONAL FACTORS
AND LIVING AWAY FROM MY NASHVILLE  SCHOOL, IT CONTRIBUTED HEAVILY TO MY DROPPING
OUT FOR AWHILE.  SINCE MARRYING REESE, I HAVE  EXPERIENCED THE JOY OF SOMEONE INTERESTED
IN MARTIAL ARTS AND SUPPORTIVE IN EVERY WAY.  I CAN  TALK TO HER ABOUT STUDENTS, FRIENDS, 
AND FOE’S IN ISSHIN-RYU, AND SHE KNOWS WHO ALL OF THEM ARE. SHE IS ACCEPTING OF MY PASSION 
FOR THE MARTIAL ARTS, AND HOW QUIRKY ALL OF US CAN BE AT TIMES.   SHE NOT ONLY ACCEPTS IT 
BUT ENCOURAGES IT.  SHE GETS A KICK OUT OF ALL MY ACHES, PAINS AND INJURIES, BUT NEVER SAYS,
 "WHAT DO YOU EXPECT YOU OLD FOOL."...".YOU ARE REALLY GOING TO GET HURT ONE OF THESE
 DAYS."  SHE KNOWS I KNOW ALL THIS, BUT LOVE IT TOO MUCH TO STOP.  IT ADDS ANOTHER LAYER
OF LOVE THAT  I FEEL FOR HER.

 
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Question 12.Your website has influenced many martial artists, was that the purpose when 
designing it?  

Answer 12: IT WAS KIND OF LIKE THE DRAGON JAM.  I WANTED TO GET PEOPLE TO HEAR WHAT THEY
WERE SAYING AND LOOK AT WHAT THEY WERE DOING BEFORE CONTINUING ON WITH IT.  IT WASN'T 
THAT I WAS SO MUCH SMARTER.  IT WAS THAT I WAS TRULY NEUTRAL  COULD SEE AND UNDERSTAND 
BOTH SIDES, AND WASN'T AFRAID TO MAKE EVERYBODY MAD AT ME FOR AWHILE FOR SAYING IT.  MR. 
LONG DIDN'T GIVE ME THE MANTLE OF LEADERSHIP WHEN HE PASSED, BUT HE DIDN'T TELL ME TO 
IGNORE WHEN THINGS ARE NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ISSHIN-RYU EITHER.  I AM SUPPOSING THAT,
THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS HE GAVE ME THOSE FIRST SEVEN DAN PROMOTIONS.  NOT SO I COULD 
PLAY POLITICS LONG ENOUGH TO GET TWO ,OR GOD FORBID ,THREE MORE.  I ALSO WANTED TO GIVE
SOME WELL DESERVING PEOPLE SOME RECOGNITION.  AT THE TIME NO ONE WAS DOING THAT.THAT 
IS WHY I DID ALL THOSE PROFILES.  TAKE MASTER DAVID PARK FOR INSTANCE.  HERE IS A GUY WHO IS
A SOLID MASTER IN EVERY WAY.  HE ATTENDS EVERYTHING, HAS GOOD STUDENTS, WEARS HIS BELT
PROUD AND HAS NEVER GOTTEN THE CREDIT HE DESERVES.  HE CAME TO MY DRAGON JAM AND GOT
IN THE KUMITE.  IT WAS PRETTY WILD TOO, BUT DAVE KICKED BUTT.  I MEAN HE REALLY DID. WE ALL
JUST STOOD AND LAUGHED AT WHAT A TOUGH SOB HE REALLY IS.  I WANTED TO SEE HIM FEATURED SO 
I DID.  I HOPE TO GO BACK TO WRITING THOSE PROFILES, AS I ENJOYED THAT MORE THAN ANYTHING. IT
IS TRICKY THOUGH BECAUSE YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DO A GOOD JOB.

Question 13.  Where do you see Isshinryu karate in the next decade compared to other arts?

Answer 13: I THINK ISSHIN-RYU WILL HAVE TO SHARE WITH OTHER ARTS AS A TRAINING METHOD IN
THE DOJO.  IT CANNOT STAND ALONE AS AN END ALL DEFENSE, WITH THE OBVIOUS LACK OF GROUND ABILITY 
MAKE IT YOUR CENTER PIECE, BUT STRONGLY AUGMENT IT WITH OTHER DISCIPLINES THAT COMPLIMENT 
IT.  TO BE HONEST I GOT A LITTLE TIRED OF JUST TEACHING PURE ISSHIN-RYU.  THERE WERE TOO MANY
CORNERS I COULDN'T SEE AROUND WITHOUT STUDY OF THE OTHER DISCIPLINES.  THE INFUSION OF CROSS 
TRAINING HAS MADE ME A BETTER ISSHIN-RYU INSTRUCTOR AND MY STUDENTS MORE WELL ROUNDED.
ALL THINGS MUST PROGRESSIVELY CHANGE WHILE KEEPING THEIR CORE BASE.  THE FIRST TIME A PASS 
WAS THROWN OR A JUMP SHOT OR DUNK WAS MADE, IT CHANGED FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL FOREVER.
BUT, IT DIDN'T MAKE THEM ANY LESS FOOTBALL OR BASKETBALL.I'M TOTALLY FOR TRADITION AND 
PURITY OF THE ART, BUT NOT AT THE RIGIDLY TAUGHT LEVEL THAT PREVENTS PROGRESS.

Question 14. Master Shaffer, are all these 10th Dans needed, and if so why?

Answer 14: WELL OBVIOUSLY BEING A JU-DAN DOESN'T MEAN WHAT IT USED TO OR THERE WOULDN'T BE
SO MANY.  IT WAS INITIALLY RESERVED FOR THE ORIGINATOR OF THE STYLE ITSELF.  THE REQUIREMENTS 
SEEM TO EBB AND FLOW.  ONE ACCOUNT SAYS ONLY AN ASSOCIATION CAN PROMOTE TO JU-DAN.  ANOTHER
ASCRIBES TO THE PASSING OF THE LINAGE TO A CHOSEN STUDENT.  I WOULD LEAN TOWARD THE LATTER
AS THE MOST LEGIT ONE.  SOME HAVE GATHERED TOGETHER THEIR ASSOCIATION PEOPLE AND HAD 
THEMSELVES PROMOTED.  I MEAN WHO ON THAT BOARD IS GOING TO SAY NO???  SADLY A LOT OF THE
MARTIAL ARTS MAKES ETERNAL FOLLOWERS OUT OF PEOPLE.  THE CARROT OF  PROMOTION MAKES THEM 
GO ALONG WITH SOME PRETTY OUTRAGEOUS DECISIONS.  AND TOO, IN THEIR DEFENSE, EVERYONE IS TRAINED 
TO KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT AND SHOW RESPECT.  NOT A BAD IDEA UNLESS IT PRODUCES CLONES AND LEMMINGS
IN THE PROCESS.I THINK THERE SHOULD BE ONLY ONE JU-DAN.  IF THAT WERE THE CASE ONLY GRANDMASTER 
HAROLD MITCHUM WOULD GET MY VOTE.  I THINK THAT THERE ARE A LOT SUPREMELY QUALIFIED PEOPLE OUT 
THERE THAT 9TH DAN WOULD BE A GREAT FIT BUT THAT HASN'T BEEN THE WAY IT HAS BEEN WORKING SO IT'S
ALL CONJECTURE.  I THINK SOME GUYS FELT THEY HAD TO GO TO JU-DAN BECAUSE SOME OTHERE WERE.
OTHERS JUST NEEDED IT.  AT ONE POINT IN MY MILITARY TRAINING, ALL THE OFFICERS CARRIED SWAGGER
STICKS.WHEN WE GOT A NEW BATTALION COMMANDER HE TOLD THE OFFICERS TO CARRY THEM IF THEY
NEEDED THEM!!!!! THE NEXT DAY NO SWAGGER STICKS WERE IN SIGHT.  I THINK A LOT OF MARTIAL ARTS
RANK IS LIKE  THAT TO SOME PEOPLE.

Question 15. If you listed some of the martial artists that you feel have made a difference, 
who are they and why?

Answer 15: WELL, A LOT OF THEM HAVE BEEN MENTIONED EARLIER ON.  OBVIOUSLY ALL THE FIRST MEN
TO BRING THE ART BACK TO THE U. S.  ALSO THE FIRST AND SECOND GENERATIONS WHO CARVED OUT THEIR
OWN NICHE OF HISTORY FOR THE FUTURE.  THE EARLY YEARS WERE FULL OF GREAT FIGHTERS WITH BARE 
HANDS AND FEET, WITH HOLE IN THE WALL DOJO'S TREATING STUDENTS LIKE MARINE RECRUITS OR WORSE.
OUT OF THAT CAME ANOTHER GREAT GENERATION MOST OF WHICH EXIST AND ARE ACTIVE TODAY.  I WOULD
POINT TO ALL THE EIGHTH, NINTH, AND TENTH DANS, WHO HAVE PAID THEIR PRICE MANY TIMES OVER FOR 
THE GOOD OF ISSHIN-RYU.I WOULDN'T ATTEMPT TO NAME THEM FOR FEAR OF OMITTING SOMEONE.  I THINK 
EVERYONE KNOWS WHO THEY ARE.  AT LEAST I HOPE WE ARE KEEPING THE TRADITION OF RECOGNIZING OUR 
SENIOR PEOPLE IN TACT.

Question 16. Why do you think your opinion or comments makes a difference?

Answer 16: AT THE END OF THE DAY PROBABLY NOT.  MOST ISSHIN-RYU PEOPLE ARE RUGGED INDIVIDUALIST
WHO MARCH TO THEIR OWN DRUMMER . I THINK I MAKES AN IMPACT ON MY STUDENTS, AND SOME DO
REALLY CARE WHAT I THINK.  I CARE WHAT THEY THINK JUST AS MUCH.  THAT'S WHY I SAY, NEVER "BS" THE 
TROOPS.  THEY KNOW YOU SOME TIMES BETTER THAN YOU KNOW THEM.  PHIL MCELROY KNEW WHAT I WAS 
GOING TO SAY BEFORE I SAID IT.  STILL DOES THE OLD COOT.

Question 17. When Master Long omitted some very influential martial artists out of his book, 
what kind of reaction do you think it caused or did it cause a reaction?

Answer 17:  I'M SURE SOME PEOPLE'S FEELING WERE HURT AND I DON'T BLAME THEM.  THAT IS THE DANGER
OF WRITING ABOUT PEOPLE. YOU ARE GOING TO LEAVE SOMEBODY OUT. IF YOU WERE ON THE OUTS WITH HIM 
AT THE TIME, YOU WERE ALSO OUT OF HIS BOOK.  THE GUY WHO DOES THE WRITING HAS THE LAST WORD
SOMETIMES.  HE WAS MIFFED AT ME AT THE TIME AND SAID SOME NICE THINGS, BUT DIDN'T MENTION SOME
ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THING IS, I WAS SURPRISED HE MENTIONED ME AT ALL.  WE HAD A KIND OF FATHER SON 
RELATIONSHIP AND HE COULDN'T BRING HIMSELF TO TOTALLY IGNORE ME.  WHEN I LEFT ISSHIN-RYU IN 1989,
I SENT A FORMAL LETTER OF RESIGNATION TO THE HALL OF FAME BOARD AND THE IIKA BOARD.  I ALSO SENT
ONE TO MR. LONG ALONG WITH A PERSONAL LETTER OF EXPLANATION AND REQUEST THAT WE TALK.  HE WENT
INTO THE HOSPITAL THE NEXT DAY.  WHILE IN THE HOSPITAL HE UNFORTUNATELY RECEIVED THE "BUSINESS LIKE"
RESIGNATION THAT WENT OUT TO EVERYONE.  THE WORSE YET; MY PERSONAL LETTER TO HIM NEVER ARRIVED.
HE TOOK THAT VERY HARD, AND I THOUGHT HE JUST DIDN'T WANT TO TALK TO ME ABOUT IT.  SO I ACTUALLY
STAYED AWAY A LITTLE LONGER THAT I WOULD HAVE, OUT OF STUBBORNNESS.  IT WASN'T UNTIL I HAD BEEN
BACK A BIT IN 96, THAT HE EVEN KNEW OF A PERSONAL LETTER.  I FOUND IT AND SHOWED IT TO PHIL LITTLE. 
PHIL SAID, I DON'T THINK HE KNOWS OF THIS LETTER.  SO I SENT IT TO HIM.  WHEN I CALLED HE SAID NEVER
SPEAK OF THAT TIME AGAIN.  WHAT MATTERS IS YOU'RE BACK.PRIOR TO THAT CONVERSATION, I HAD ALREADY
MENDED MY FENCES WITH MR. LONG WHEN MCELROY ESCORTED ME OVER TO HIM AT A TOURNAMENT  JUST 
TO MAKE SURE WE HAD A CHANCE TO BURY THE HATCHET.  WHAT COURAGE, ACTUALLY FRIENDSHIP, THAT IT 
TOOK FOR MCELROY TO GET IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT.  SO DUE TO INTERVENTION AND INFORMATION PROVIDED
BY MCELROY AND LITTLE, ALL WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THANK THE GOOD LORD I GOT THAT CHANCE BEFORE 
HIS DEATH.

Question 18. How hard was it to get started back in Isshinryu after going to South Carolina?

Answer 18:  WELL MASTER WILLIE, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GO INTO SOME DETAIL ON THIS ONE.THIS  IS THE 
ANSWER TO A QUESTION  THAT PRETTY MUCH DEFINES MY PRESENT AND FUTURE EXISTENCE IN ISSHIN-RYU. 
ALL THE REST IS JUST ANTI CLIMATIC COMPARED TO THIS. AT LEAST IN MY MIND!! ONLY THE GOOD LORD 
COULD HAVE WORKED THIS ALL OUT FOR ME.  I MOVED TO SOUTH CAROLINA IN 1977 BUT I DIDN'T LEAVE THE 
MARTIAL ARTS COMPLETELY UNTIL 1989. I GAVE A SEMINAR AT THE NASHVILLE DOJO AND MADE THE 
DECISION TO DROP OUT, AFTER THAT, I KNEW THAT I WAS CHEATING MY FORMER STUDENTS AND MYSELF 
INCLUDED. I NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE PEOPLE'S WAY THAT WERE IN THERE STILL PAYING THE PRICE. THEY 
WERE TOO LOYAL TO LET ON, BUT I HAD BECOME A "DEAD BELT WALKING." I ASK THEM TO TAKE OFF THE 
SHAFFER'S TEAM NASHVILLE FROM THE BACKS OF THEIR GI'S AND BOWED OUT. I HAD EARLIER ESTRANGED 
MYSELF FROM MR. LONG UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES  DISCUSSED EARLIER, SO I WAS PRETTY MUCH HANGING 
BY A THREAD ANYWAY. 
 
I THREW MYSELF INTO MY WORK, GOING BACK INTO BUSINESS FOR MYSELF AND COMPETING IN TRIATHLONS.
I ALSO REMARRIED THE SAME YEAR. ALONG THE WAY, I TAUGHT A GUEST CLASS FOR PHIL LITTLE BUT RESISTED
ANY TEMPTATION TO RE-ENTER ISSHIN-RYU. IT WAS ONE THING I WOULD NEVER DO UNLESS IT WAS 100%. I KNEW
THAT I WOULD NEVER  HAVE THE TYPE SITUATION OR PEOPLE I HAD IN  NASHVILLE, AND I COULD NEVER FEEL 
OR EXPECT TO GET THAT LUCKY TWICE.   HOW WRONG I WAS.....IN 1995,  A FEW COPS THAT WERE MEMBERS OF
THE GYM I OWNED IN ANDERSON, ASKED ME TO WORK WITH THEM.  I WASN'T INTERESTED, BUT A BIG, FRIENDLY,
VERY PERSUASIVE COP, NAMED ROCKY LATIMER, KEPT AFTER ME. I TOLD THE GROUP I ONLY KNEW ONE WAY TO
TEACH AND THEY WOULDN'T LIKE IT.  I STARTED TRAINING THEM WITH THE GOAL IN MIND TO RUN THEM OFF. 
I WAS IN GREAT SHAPE BUT NOT KARATE/KUMITE SHAPE. SO I SUFFERED PHYSICALLY SECOND ONLY TO MY FIRST
TRIPS TO MR. LONGS DOJO.  TO EVEN THE PLAYING FIELD, WE SPARRED WITHOUT SAFETY EQUIPMENT. I THOUGHT
IF ROCK QUIT, EVERYONE WOULD.  SO I STUCK MY FIST THROUGH HIS RIB CAGE.  I TOLD HIM, IF YOU LIKE THAT, 
YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THE REST.  EVERYONE QUIT WITHIN A MONTH EXCEPT HE AND HIS PATROL PARTNER.
HE WANTED TO QUIT BUT ROCKY WOULDN'T LET HIM.  A FEW OTHERS DRIFTED IN THANKS TO ROCKY AND CURT
PENNINGTON.  SOON CAME JASON ANZUR AND DAN DYE AND SOME OTHERS WHO HAD A PART BUT COULDN'T GO
THE DISTANCE.  I DECIDED TO GIVE THESE GUYS AN HONEST GO, AS I WAS GETTING THAT OLD FEELING AGAIN. 
SO I TAUGHT FOR  FREE THE FIRST YEAR. IF YOU WANT TO BUILD A CLASS QUICK; TEACH FOR FREE.  IT WAS HARD, 
IT WAS ROUGH, AND COMPLETELY OLD SCHOOL.  PROBLEM WAS, I WAS STAGNANT IN MY KNOWLEDGE, MY SKILL
LEVEL WAS AWFUL, AND THE ART HAD GONE THROUGH A HUGE EDUCATION PROCESS WHILE I WAS GONE. SO I HAD
TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL.  MY SALVATION WAS DAVID GABBBARD.  HE RE-TRAINED ME, MOTIVATED ME, WORKED 
WITH MY STUDENTS, MADE TRIPS TO ANDERSON, AND ENCOURAGED ME CONSTANTLY.  TONY WILLIAMS ALSO  
PITCHED IN TO GIVE MY GUYS ANOTHER GREAT TALENT TO SPAR WITH.  LATER BUTCH HILL TOOK OVER  A BIG
SHARE  OF MY CONTINUING EDUCATION.  ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS WAS WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THE 
DIRECTION OF ISSHIN-RYU. I WAS UNACCUSTOMED TO HEARING MR. LONG BE SO CRITICAL ABOUT PEOPLE I HAD
EARLIER CONSIDERED MAINSTAYS OF OUR LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE.  NOT LONG AFTER MY RETURN, THE WORST
HAPPENED; HE DIED AND EVERYTHING TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.  I SPENT GREAT PORTIONS OF MY TIME TRYING TO
GET INVOLVED AGAIN, WHILE MOSTLY TRYING TO STAY OUT OF THE WAY OF TURF WARS AND WHO IS REALLY IN
CHARGE ARGUMENTS.  IT WAS SPLITTING INTO THOSE WHO WANTED TO DO IT ALL, AND THOSE WHO WANTED TO
DO NOTHING AT ALL.  BUT I KEPT AS NEUTRAL AS POSSIBLE AND CONCENTRATED ON RETRAINING MYSELF  AND
BUILDING A GOOD DOJO.  DOING THAT WAS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE I'M NOT A NATURAL NEUTRAL WHEN
IT COMES TO MY LOYALTIES.  I WAS ALSO BEGINNING TO CROSS BACK AND FORTH OVER POLITICAL LINES FOR 
THE PURPOSE OF TRAINING AND FRIENDSHIP.  IT WAS EASIER FOR ME THAN I'M MAKING IT SOUND AS MY ONLY
REAL LOYALTIES WERE TO MY STUDENTS AND MY NASHVILLE FRIENDS.  AFTER MR. LONG PASSED I COULD GIVE
A RATS BEHIND WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE IN CHARGE.UNLESS THEY PAID MY RENT AND HELPED RUN MY DOJO .
THAT OFFER STILL STANDS!!! THING WAS, THEY WERE ALL PROVEN ISSHIN-RYU MEN WHO WANTED THE BEST FOR
THE ART, SO I WASN'T WORRIED THAT WE WERE ALL DOOMED TO ISSHIN-RYU.  ON A BETTER SUBJECT MR. WILSON; 
I WOULD LIKE TO TALK A LITTLE ABOUT THE CROSS TRAINING LATER IF YOU DON'T MIND, BECAUSE IT OPENED UP 
WHOLE NEW WORLDS AND MADE IT REALLY FUN AGAIN.  MEETING AND OR REACQUAINTING MYSELF WITH SOME 
KEY PEOPLE WAS THE BASIS TO MY MOTIVATION.  I WATCHED AND PARTICIPATED IN THE KARATE FIVE'S SEMINAR
AND DEMO GIVEN BY THE IIKA.  I WAS ACTUALLY FASCINATED.  I DABBLED IN JUJITSU BUT NEVER ANYTHING LIKE
THIS.  I WAS LIKE A KID IN THE CANDY STORE.  I WENT TO TOBY COOLING'S DOJO IN MARYLAND AND WATCHED HIS
BLACK BELTS TEST, COMPETE, AND KNEW THAT I WANTED MY GUYS TO BE ON  THAT LEVEL. I CARRIED MY GUYS TO
NASHVILLE TO COMPETE WITH BUTCH, DAVID, TONY, AND SANDRA'S GROUP.  PHIL LITTLE AND I, DID A MASTERS 
EXCHANGE AND TAUGHT EACH OTHERS GROUPS, AND HAD COMBINED WORKOUTS.  YES, I PARTICIPATED IN ALL OF 
IT.  I KNEW IT WAS ALL OUT THERE, IF MY 55 YEAR OLD BODY( AT THE TIME)WOULD LAST LONG ENOUGH.  I WAS 
PHYSICALLY TRAINING, TEACHING, AND TRAVELING IN ORDER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JUJITSU AND GRAPPLING.
IT WAS KILLING ME BUT I WAS GOING TO DIE HAPPY.  IT HAS NOW BEEN NINE YEARS SINCE MY RE-ENTRY. I CAN 
HONESTLY SAY THAT IT HAS BEEN THE BEST NINE YEARS OF MY MARTIAL ARTS LIFE.  BECAUSE I RETIRED IN 96, I
HAVE HAD EVERY DAY TO LEARN AND TRAIN.  I HAVE LEARNED TWICE AS MUCH AS I DID THE PREVIOUS YEARS. FOR
EVERY ONE I HAVE MENTIONED, THERE ARE MANY MORE WHO WELCOMED ME BACK, MADE MY STUDENTS FEEL 
WELCOME AT THEIR EVENTS, BECAME  CLOSE FRIENDS INSTEAD OF ACQUAINTANCES (AS THEY HAD BEEN 
PREVIOUSLY), AND ENRICHED MY LIFE.

Question 19. Having other Isshinryu schools in South Carolina has helped or hindered your 
growth?

Answer19:  THE ONLY OTHER ISSHIN-RYU SCHOOL IN SOUTH CAROLINA THAT WE ASSOCIATE WITH IS PHIL LITTLE'S 
SCHOOL HERE IN ANDERSON.  HE HAS BEEN HERE A LONG TIME AND HAD A GOOD REPUTATION AND STUDENT 
ENROLLMENT.  ANDERSON IS A DECENT SIZE LITTLE TOWN, SO THERE IS PLENTY TO GO AROUND.  AS I SAID, WE 
HAVE TRAINED WITH THEM SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY ARE GOOD PEOPLE.  PHIL HAD SEVERAL SEMINARS AND 
SHIAI'S FOR HIS ASSOCIATION THAT WE WERE INVITED TO AND THEY ARE VERY ORGANIZED AND EDUCATIONAL.
HE AND I BUMP HEADS SOMETIMES BUT THAT IS A, HE AND I THING, AS WE GO WAY BACK.  ALL IN ALL, IT HAS BEEN 
A LOT OF HELP TO HAVE HAD AN ESTABLISHED ISSHIN-RYU SCHOOL. GOOD COMPETITION MAKES BETTER BUSINESS 
MEN OF US ALL.  I PREFER THAT TO THESE "TAKE MY DOE" PLACES WITH THE SENSEI THAT RAN OUT OF THINGS 
TO TEACH AFTER ONE YEAR.

Question20. When you were awarded your 9th degree how did it affect you and were you looking 
for this promotion?

Answer 20 :  INTERESTING QUESTION BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH A SURPRISE BOTH TIMES.MY FIRST KU-DAN CAME
FROM THE IIKA. IT WAS A HUGE SURPRISE AS I HAD JUST RESIGNED FROM THEIR BOARD AND ASSOCIATION A YEAR
EARLIER.  TALK ABOUT LACK OF EGO ON A BOARD. THESE GUYS NEVER TOOK ANYTHING PERSONALLY AND GAVE ME 
AN INCREDIBLE PROMOTION.  I GREW UP WITH ALL OF THEM AND SOME ARE FORMER STUDENT, SO IT WAS A VERY
PERSONAL AND EMOTIONAL HONOR FOR ME. I THINK IT ALSO TESTED MY CHARACTER AS WELL.  I WAS PROMOTED  
AT THE SAME TIME AS JIM MCDONALD, MY FORMER STUDENT AND LONG TIME FRIEND.  SEEMED FUNNY FOR A
MOMENT AS I REMEMBERED HIM WHEN I ENROLLED HIM SO LONG AGO, AND WHAT A GREAT STUDENT AND ALWAYS
MAVERICK HE WAS.  NOW HERE WE ARE THE SAME RANK.  I CAN HONESTLY TELL YOU THAT, I NEVER FELT ANYTHING
BUT HAPPY FOR BOTH OF US AND VERY PROUD OF HIM.  MY NEXT ONE CAME HANSHI LITTLE AND THE USIKA.  HERE 
AGAIN, IT WAS FROM PEOPLE WHO HAD NOTHING TO GAIN, AS I WAS NOT A MEMBER OF THEIR ASSOCIATION OR WAS 
EVER GOING TO BE.  IT WAS A GESTURE OF BELIEF IN ME AND MY ISSHIN-RYU ACCOMPLISHMENTS.  I WAS DEEPLY 
HONORED.  NOT TO SOUND UNGRATEFUL BUT AS A MARTIAL ARTIST, I NEVER FELT ANY DIFFERENT WITH THE NINTH 
PROMOTION.  I NEVER WEAR MY RED BELT UNLESS I'M AT A TOURNAMENT OR AT SELECTED EVENTS.  I PREFER MY
BLACK BELT, AS IT  JUST SEEMS TO WORK BETTER FOR ME.  THE ONLY DIFFERENCE I FEEL IS WHEN I LOOK AROUND 
AND SEE WHAT A BUNCH OF OLD COOTS WE NINTH DANS ARE...LOL.

Question 21. Master Shaffer, how has your life been affected by being diversified having new 
friends new family, and cross training from other arts?

Answer 21: MY CROSS TRAINING HAS BEEN  A REBIRTH FOR ME IN TWO IMPORTANT WAYS.I HAVE LEARNED TO 
TEACH ISSHIN-RYU BETTER DUE TO MY CROSS REFERENCE UNDERSTANDING.  IT HAS HELPED MY APPRECIATE EVEN
MORE  FOR WHAT A MARTIAL ARTS GENIUS MASTER SHIMABUKU WAS.EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT HAS 
INTRODUCED ME TO, AND GIVEN ME ACCESS TO, SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE BLESSED MY LIFE.  NOW I'M GOING TO GET
MUSHY AND SENTIMENTAL HERE MR. WILSON, SO BEAR WITH ME.  YOU HAVE BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO ME WITH 
YOUR VALUES AND STANDARDS.  YOU MAY VERY WELL BE THE MOST GIFTED MARTIAL ARTS MAN I KNOW.  YOU HAVE 
NEVER GOTTEN THE CREDIT YOU DESERVE AND PROBABLY NEVER WILL.  BUT ANYONE WHO KNOWS YOU, COULD 
MAKE THAT ARGUMENT FOR YOU.  YOUR TEACHINGS,  FRIENDSHIP AND LEADERSHIP, HAVE SUSTAINED ME THROUGH 
SOME TROUBLING TIMES. YOU ARE TRULY MY BROTHER AND MARTIAL ARTS HERO.  IF THAT WASN'T BLESSING 
ENOUGH, I HAVE MET OTHERS THIS TIME BACK ,THAT HAVE BECOME BROTHERS AS WELL AS MENTORS.CLYDE 
STANLEY IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A VASTLY UNDERRATED MARTIAL ARTIST.  BUT, NOT TO THOSE WHO KNOW HIM!! 
HE IS ANOTHER TERRIFIC ISSHIN-RYU MAN WHO EXCELS AT OTHER DISCIPLINES.  I HAVE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL 
FROM HIM.  I HAVE ALSO MADE A NEW FRIEND AND CONFIDANT.  I MENTIONED DAVID AND BUTCH BUT I HAVE TO 
MENTION THEM AGAIN AS THEY WERE IN THE MOLD OF CROSS TRAINING MENTORS.  IT WAS ANOTHER CASE OF 
GETTING TO KNOW THEM BETTER THAN BEFORE.  THE KARATE FIVE VISITED OUT DOJO TO DO A TWO DAY SEMINAR 
AS DID CLYDE.  MASTER TOBY COOLING HAS BEEN TO OUR DOJO TWICE, DOING A NIGHT CLASS AND TWO SEMINARS 
ON CHIN-NA.  FOR THE MOST PART BUTCH HILL HAS BEEN THE ON-GOING TEACHING MASTER OF OUR 
GRAPPLING/JUJITSU TRAINING.  ANOTHER IN A LINE OF MULTI TALENTED MARTIAL ARTIST; JAMES OGLE 
TEAMED UP WITH BUTCH AND INTRODUCED US TO REAL FIGHTING, PANKRATION.  WE STILL PRACTICE IT ON A 
MODIFIED SCALE.  WE HAVE BENEFITED GREATLY BY THE INFLUX OF INFORMATION PROVIDED BY PARTICIPANTS OF
THE DRAGON JAM.  THE LONG WINDED POINT I'M TRYING TO MAKE HERE IS; COMING BACK WAS A RE-ENTRY TO
ADVANCED LEARNING.  BUT FORGET THE EDUCATION. ALMOST DAILY,  IT FLASHES THROUGH MY MIND WHAT I 
WOULD HAVE MISSED IN THE WAY OF THE NEW FRIENDS I MADE, THE OLD ACQUAINTANCE DEVELOPED INTO CLOSE
NEW FRIENDS, AND MY OLD FRIENDS BEING THERE FOR ME IN EVERY WAY AS ALWAYS.

Question 22. When Rocky was in Iraq what pressure was put on the school and who stepped up?

Answer 22: AS YOU KNOW YOU DON'T REPLACE ROCKY.  HE IS AS UNIQUE TO THIS SCHOOL, AS PHIL MCELROY WAS 
TO MY NASHVILLE GROUP.  I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE TWO  MAIN GUYS; SENSEI'S JASON ANZUR AND DAN DYE, 
WHO MORE THAN PICKED UP THE LEADERSHIP SLACK THEY WORKED OVER TIME TO KEEP THINGS IN ORDER UNTIL 
ROCKY COULD RETURN.I CAN'T IMAGINE WHERE I WOULD BE WITHOUT THEM. THEY WILL NEVER FULLY REALIZE
THEIR TRUE VALUE TO OUR DOJO. THEY HAVE BOTH WON  WELL DESERVED AWARDS FROM THE ISSHIN-RYU HALL
OF FAME.  NEITHER ARE GIFTED PHYSICALLY, BUT BOTH HAVE WON THEIR SHARE OF TOURNAMENT TROPHIES. 
THIS IS DUE TO BEING FEARLESS, GRITTY, SMART, AND HARD TRAINERS.  AT 55  SENSEI DAN MATCHES EVERY NIGHT
WITH THE BLACK BELTS AND ANYONE ELSE WHO JUMPS IN.SENSEI JASON COMPETED ALL LAST YEAR WITH A 
SHOULDER THAT POPPED OUT EVERY TIME HE MISSED A PUNCH.BOTH THESE GUYS ARE THE REAL DEAL AND FUTURE
LEADERS IN ISSHIN-RYU IF THEY SO CHOOSE.SEMPI LEON SCOTT, TOOK ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF IMPROVING 
EVERYONE PHYSICALLY AND HELP TO GROOM A NEW BLACK BELT, BUT MATURE LEADER IN WOODY WOODS.
SEMPI JUNIORS , AUSTIN MCADAMS AND ELI RHODES, TOOK THE JUNIOR LEADERSHIP. ZACK MACDOUGAL SET THE
PACE FOR THE KIDS.  EVERYONE WANTED TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR ROCKY AND THE DOJO.THEY DID JUST THAT.
THOSE THAT QUIT OR SLUFFED OFF DURING THAT TIME ARE GONE AND WILL NOT BE WELCOMED BACK.  IT WAS A
TIME OF EVERYONE SHOWING THEIR TRUE COLORS.

Question 23. Leaving a legacy, is this important to you?

Answer 23: DEFINITELY YES. IF WE LEAVE NO MARK IN THE ENDEAVOR OF OUR LIFFE'S WORK, THEN WE HAVE FAILED.
WE BUILD OUT LEGACY IN INCREMENTS AS WE GO.WHAT KIND OF STUDENT WAS HE. WHAT KIND OF COMPETITOR.
WHAT KIND OF INSTRUCTOR.WHAT KIND OF MASTER. WHAT WERE HIS STUDENTS LIKE, AND HOW MANY TIMES DID 
HE REPRODUCE HIMSELF.WHO PROMOTED HIM AND UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS.DID HIS RANK ALWAYS MIRROR
HIS SKILL.  DID HE SPEAK OUT OR COP OUT. WAS HE RESPECTED BY HIS PEERS AND THE GENERAL ISSHIN-RYU 
COMMUNITY.  DID HE WEAR OUT FROM TRAINING OR RUST OUT FROM THE LACK OF IT.THESE AND OTHER VALUES
CREATE YOUR LEGACY. YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED BY WOWING WITH WISDOM, NOT BAFFLING WITH BULL! IF YOU 
DON'T BELIEVE ME, TAKE A MENTAL INVENTORY OF SOME OF THE PEOPLE YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH AT THE
EVENTS.  IF IT WERE NOT SO PITIFUL IT WOULD BE FUNNY, AS TO HOW SOME ASSUME THAT WE HAVE FORGOTTEN
WHO AND WHAT THEY ARE REALLY ALL ABOUT. HOW THEY GOT THEIR RANK AND THEIR FEEBLE ATTEMPT TO
RE-CREATE THEMSELVES AS THE YEARS HAVE GONE BY.. THEY LEAVE A LEGACY BUT THAT ONE HAS A STINK
ATTACHED TO IT THAT ONLY THEY CAN STAND.  I MAKE SURE MY STUDENTS KNOW WHO IS REAL AND WHO IS PHONY. 
IT MAY SEEM LIKE AIRING DIRTY LINEN, BUT THESE PEOPLE MUST NEVER GAIN RESPECTABILITY BECAUSE THEY OUT 
LIVED PEOPLES CAPACITY TO REMEMBER.PERHAPS IT ALSO MAKES ME SOUND LIKE JUDGE AND JURY, BUT I KNOW 
EXACTLY WHO THEY ARE AND SO DO YOU.SO, MASTER WILSON; IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME THAT MY STUDENTS 
AND FRIENDS REMEMBER ME WITH THE SAME RESPECT THAT THEY WILL BE REMEMBERED BY ME.NO MATTER
WHAT YOU THINK OR SAY ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR PEERS AND STUDENTS WILL BE THE BEST, LAST, AND TRUEST, 
JUDGE OF YOUR LEGACY.

BROTHER WILSON, IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR AND PLEASURE TO DO THIS INTERVIEW WITH YOU.  YOU ASK TOUGH 
QUESTIONS AND MAYBE YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A FUTURE AS AN INTERROGATOR.  THANK YOU AND THE KARATE FIVE
 FOR ALLOWING ME INTO YOUR MIDST AND GOOD GRACES. I WILL WORK HARD TO ALWAYS STAY THERE.