A tornado named Harold Long came out of 
 
                    Rockwood Tennessee
September 3, 1930
Is there any clue in these pictures that greatness will follow this man?
Wedding Day - October 18, 1952 in Wheeling, West Virginia 

Battle of Iwo Jima (February 19, 1945 – March 26, 1945) was 
the United States capture of the island of Iwo Jima from Japan, 
producing some of the fiercest fighting in the Pacific Campaign 
of World War II.

The Japanese positions on the island were heavily fortified, 
with vast bunkers, hidden artillery, and 18 kilometers (11 mi) of 
tunnels. The battle was the first American attack on the Japanese 
Home Islands and the Imperial soldiers defended their positions 
tenaciously. Of the 21,000 Japanese soldiers present at the 
beginning of the battle, over 20,000 were killed and only 216 taken 
prisoner.[1] The U.S. invasion, known as Operation Detachment, 
was charged with the mission of capturing the airfields on Iwo Jima.


The battle was immortalized by Joe Rosenthal's photograph of 
the raising of the U.S. flag atop the 166 meter (546 ft) Mount Suribachi 
by five Marines and one Navy Corpsman. The photograph records 
the second flag-raising on the mountain, which took place on the 
fifth day of the 35-day battle. The picture became the iconic image 
of the battle and has been heavily reproduced. 


Keeping with the tradition that the Marines had established
at Iwo Jima some 5 years earlier Harold Long upheld the
Marine corps tradition in a bloody battle on foreign soil.
In 1950, as a young marine in Korea, he fought against the 
Chinese Army at the battle of Chosen Reservoir (a battle which 
has been termed by today’s historians as, “the most savage 
fighting in modern warfare.”) With temperatures ranging between 
four degrees below zero to thirty-five degrees below zero, the 
Chinese Army had orders to annihilate the marines at the 
Chosen Reservoir, which they almost succeeded in doing. The 
small number of marines who overcame staggering odds and 
survived later became known as the “Chosen Few.” Today, they 
are referred to as the “Eternal Band of Brothers.”

 
    
Grandmaster Long, on the 10th Anniversary 
          of your passing, we honor you 
and thank you for what you left behind.   

 

 


TEN YEARS
OCTOBER 1998--OCTOBER 2008
In Memory of Grandmaster Harold Long
 By The Karate Five Association

This October is the 10th anniversary of the passing of Grand Master Harold Long.
 A lot has happened to, and within, his Isshinryu lineage. Sometimes we wonder 
how he would have reacted to all that has occurred.

Each of us probably has a different memory of Mr. Long. He was our Sensei, and 
a friend to many of us. Had he not graced our lives, we would have missed out on 
his influence of molding who we are today. That being introducing the martial arts 
into our lives, the fellowship that resulted, and the many friends we gained.
( L-R) Maurice Msarsa, Willie Wilson, Melbert Lee, Sr.,
Master Harold Long at Headquarters Dojo on Chapman Highway 

 

If we ask the question, “What is your recollection of Mr. Long?” we will probably 
get many different answers. However, to refresh our memories, here are a few 
highlights that we recall:

--Physically, he was tough. His straightforward kick was full of power and cracked 
like a whip. His punches contained awesome power. We do not believe he knew 
his strength and the power in his techniques.
--Mr. Long demanded respect and he got it from all. He was one of the few that was 
both feared by many, and respected by all.
--Discipline ruled with him. He was always in control. He was loyal to his associates 
and expected their loyalty in return.
--He was content being addressed as MR. LONG. Some people addressed him as 
MASTER LONG.
 

 

--One thing for sure, there was one HAROLD LONG, and in our opinion there will not 
be another like him in our Isshinryu corner. There are a few individuals that try to 
emulate whom he was, his persona, his leadership, or his contribution to the 
martial arts.

We all knew Mr. Long in different perspectives. We did not know him as a father 
and family man like his family did. We knew him as our Sensei and friend. 
Mr. Long depended on many of his black belts to keep the dojos operating, and to 
continue teaching and practicing Isshinryu.

To refresh our memory of Mr. Longs Isshinryu visions and beliefs, we decided to 
(again) read the contents of his ISSHIN-RYU KARATE-THE ULTIMATE FIGHTING ART. 
As we all know, the book contains a wealth of knowledge and information. It was 
Mr. Longs pride and joy.  

 

The chapters we concentrated on were 14, and 15.

Chapter 14 is titled PEOPLE. It is 25 pages long. It contains the names and 
contributions of the Isshinryu karate kas that in his opinion had impact upon, and 
“have played a part in the growth of Isshin-Ryu”. 
Comment:  When asked about the different individuals that were not mentioned in 
the book. Mr. Long’s answer was something like this…some I forgot, and some were 
not worth mentioning.

Chapter 15 is titled INTERVIEW. It is 28 pages of Questions that were submitted by 
his Isshinryu family, and Answers by Mr. Long.
The answers are as straightforward and direct as Mr. Long could be. In our opinion, 
the Q&A’s tell us who Mr. Long was, his beliefs, his philosophies, and his wishes to 
his lineage! We urge those of you that have questions about who Mr. Long was, and 
what his beliefs were, to please take the time to read (at least) this chapter.

Are we, Mr. Long’s lineage, abiding by his wishes and teachings? 
We believe that most of us in Mr. Long’s lineage are. Some of us are practicing “pure” 
Master Shimabuku Isshinryu. Some of us have expanded our base of martial arts 
knowledge by adding “cross training” to our repertoire. However, Isshinryu is our 
foundation…it will always be…anything we pick up from cross training is 
secondary to Isshinryu…and we usually use it as one of the applications to 
our interpretations of the Isshinryu kata bunkai.
 Grandmasters- Maurice Msarsa, Denny Shaffer and Willie Wilson at I.C.A. training session at Steelhand Dojo 09/27/08 

 
 
There are, however, very few individuals from Mr. Long’s lineage that have totally 
gotten away from martial arts training, or drifted away into other styles of martial arts…
with Isshinryu being the secondary art! 

How would Mr. Long have reacted to what happened within his Isshinryu lineage during 
the last 10 years?
That is a tough one to answer…we will however try. We believe that Mr. Long would 
have been proud and pleased…
… At the growth and strength of Isshinryu in his lineage. Teams from dojos and 
associations from his lineage have competed and excelled at tournaments all along 
the East Coast.
…At the training seminars and Shiais that have been, and continue to be, conducted 
and sponsored by different dojos and associations.
…At the growth in the number of minorities in his lineage. 
…At the number of tournaments that are sponsored by dojos from his linage, and the 
addition of the Harold Long Memorial Tournament.
…At the creation of (by Mr. Longs family) the “HAROLD LONG FOUNDATION”. For 
information: info@haroldlongfoundation.org 
…At the leadership exhibited and the advancement by his first generation black belts. 
However, we believe that there are a few individuals whose butts he would have 
kicked because they totally deviated from what he expected from them.
 Master Butch Hill and Grandmaster Willie Wilson
at I.C.A. training session at Steelhand Dojo 09/27/08 

 

 
(L-R) Master Melbert Lee,Sr. Grandmasters Joe Laney, Willie G. Wilson, Denny Shaffer and Master William Mason
 
 

 What is Mr. Long’s legacy?

When Mr. Long was asked, “ how do you want to be remembered by future 
generations of Isshin-Ryu Karate-Ka?” His answer (Page 287 of his book) was:
“First of all, I really don’t care how any one remembers me. You’re going to remember 
me in your own light anyway. I tell people, my claim to fame is that I did exactly 
what I promised my sensei I would do; I carried through on everything I promised 
him I would do. I taught the best karate I knew how, and I taught it longer than 
anyone else. I had the staying power. You might say you may remember me as 
being a very loyal and respectful student to my Sensei, the late Grand Master 
Tatsuo Shimabuku.”
 
 

We would like to add to his legacy by highlighting the following:

His many disciples that are practicing and teaching Isshinryu in many parts of 
the U.S. and the world can best highlight Mr. Long’s legacy. A brief summary 
of his contributions and accomplishments includes the following:
--Taught Isshinryu Karate for 36 years.
--His lineage (by his 1997 estimate) of over 40,000 individuals. It Continues to
   grow.
--Awarded (by his estimate) fewer than 300 black belts.
--Karate kas from his lineage are currently operating dozens of dojos…
   including some overseas. There will always be an Isshinryu practitioner on 
this earth whose lineage can be traced to Harold Long.
--Co-authored 6 Isshinryu books. The Isshin-Ryu Karate The Ultimate Fighting
    Art being the one he treasured most.
--Co-produced 8 instructional video series.
--Founded the International Isshin-Ryu Karate Association (IIKA)                       
---Founded the Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame (IHOF).
--Honored by multiple inductions in many different Halls of Fame.
--Numerous awards bestowed upon Mr. Long from other martial arts      
   organizations.
--Two trophies (since 1999) titled… “The Harold Long Award” has been awarded 
to kumite grand champions, both men and women, at the Athens Karate Games.
 
 

 Many of us first generation under Mr. Long are approaching the “senior citizen” 
status, and will sometime in the near future belong to the ages. The future, 
therefore, is going to be the responsibility of those that qualify to be called 
“young “. We remember an oriental proverb that had a message something 
like this…”They planted, we ate…we plant, they eat”. In our corner of Isshinryu 
we can say…”They taught, we learned…we teach, they learn”…and the cycle 
continues.

Many people will walk in and out of your life.
                  Only true friends will leave footprints in your heart!
A Few Highlights of Karate 5 in the past 10 Years
Grandmaster Msarsa Teaches at Harrogate, Tn Dojo
Karate 5 conducts Seminar in Pa.
World Karate Union Hall of Fame - 2005 
 (L-R) Daryl Cox - Instructor of the Year

Master Willie Wilson - Golden Lifetime Achievement Award

Grandmaster Denny Shaffer - Golden Lifetime Achievement Award

Anston Wilson - Assistant Instructor of the Year
To the  Right, Master Wilson when Board Member of I.I.K.A.
World Karate Union Hall of Fame - 2006 
Master Willie Wilson - Distinguished Board Member ----- Master Frederick Brabston - Master of the Year
Master Frederick Brabson 
Master William Mason - Golden Achievement Award
World Karate Union Hall of Fame - 2007
Melbert Lee, Jr. Awarded Godan
I.H.O.F. Dojo of the Year - 2006
Pre K4 Teacher of the Year - Melinda Reese, 2 years in a row - 2007 & 2008
M.P.D. Recertification
Spring 2005 - Arnis Camp

Spring 2006 - Arnis Camp
Spring 2007 - Arnis Camp


Grand Opening Morristown Dojo 01-Apr-2006
Dragon Jam 2006

Kids Day Demo

Harold Long Foundation - I.C.A. 



We hope that this tribute to the 10th year of the passing
of Grandmaster Harold Long was a fitting one. We also
wished to show that Karate 5 Association, by being
active is keeping Grandmaster Long's legacy alive.
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