Tribute to Grandmaster Harold G. Long,
10th Dan  Isshinryu Karate
9th March, 1930  to  10th December, 1998

By Hanshi Phil Little

 

Harold G. Long was born in Rockwood, Tennessee on 9th March, 1930.  He was one of thirteen children born of Bessie Marie France Long and John Riley Long.  His family moved from Rockwood to Morgan County in 1934, where he attended elementary school in Petrose, Tennessee.  He attended Central High School in Wartburg, Tennessee.

Harold Long was an average student in high school, but an above average football player. Football was the foremost thing on his mind in high school.  He joined the Marine Corps in 1949, but was not called to duty until 1950. He was sent to Paris Island, South Carolina where he completed his basic training, and then to Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, where he completed advance training. Shortly thereafter, North Korea attacked South Korea. He had no idea where Korea was, but found out in a hurry. He was shipped from Camp LeJeune, to Camp Pendleton, California, to bring the 1st Marine Division up to strength.

In 1950, as a young marine in Korea, he fought in the battle of the Chosin Reservoir against the Chinese Army.  While temperatures ranged between four degrees below zero to thirty-five degrees below zero, the Chinese Army had orders to annihilate the marines at the Chosin Reservoir. This battle has been termed “the most savage fighting in modern warfare” by today’s historians. The marines that survived this battle became known as the “Chisen Few”. Today, this group is referred to as the “Eternal Band of Brothers”.

In the mid 1950’s, Harold Long was sent to Okinawa. He inquired of his house girl who the best karate instructor was on Okinawa. She did not hesitate in telling him that in Chun Village there was a teacher by the name of Grand Master Tatsuo Shimabuku, who had the reputation of being the top instructor of karate on Okinawa. After several visits to Grand Master Shimabuku’s dojo, he was accepted and began training. He trained for nineteen months, as much as eight hours a day, seven days a week, in some cases.

When Master Long returned to the United States, he was stationed at Twenty-nine Palms, California, where he opened his first dojo in his back yard. After his discharge from the Marine Corps, in July 1959, he returned to East Tennessee, and opened a dojo at the Marine Reserve Building on Alcoa Highway.

In 1963, he attended the systems head meeting of the first World Karate Tournament in Chicago, Illinois, to set-up rules for all American karate tournaments. In attendance were John Kehan, Phil Kepal, Harold Long, George Mattson, Anthony Mirikan, Roy Oshiro, Don Nagle, Ed Parker, Wendall Reeves, Jun Rehe, Mas Tsuroka, and Robert Trias. Rules for kata and kumite were set down at this meeting to be used for all tournaments, regardless of what style held them in the United States.  Master Long proposed all these rules, with one exception.

In 1974, Master Long returned to Okinawa to consult with Grand Master Tatsuo Shimabuku concerning a new karate association. Listed below are his accomplishments and contributions to Isshin-Ryu Karate.

  • 1975     Founded the International Isshin-Ryu Karate Association (IIKA).
  • 1978     Co-authored a three book series, The Dynamics of Isshin-Ryu Karate, with Allen Wheeler.
  • 1980     Founded the Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame.
  • 1981     Inducted into the Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame.
  • 1987     Co-authored “Okinawan Weapons” with Phil Little.
  • 1988     Founded the Isshin-Ryu Black Belt Society
  • 1991     Co- produced an eight tape video series, Isshinryu Karate – The Ultimate Self-Defense
  • 1992     Inducted into the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
    Co-produced the first national television coverage of the Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame Karate Tournament.
  • 1993     Issued membership into Tao of the Fist Martial Arts Fraternity.
    Co-authored, “Who’s Who in Isshin-Ryu” with Phillis Manis and Tim McGee.
  • 1994     Issued membership into the World Head of Family Sokeship Council for Isshin-Ryu Karate.
  • 1995     Awarded a Doctorate Degree by the College of Martial Arts.
  • 1996     Inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame.
    Inducted into the World Head of Family Sokeship Council Hall of Fame.
  • 1997     Co-authored, “Okinawan Weapons Sai and Tonfa Fighting Techniques” with Grandmaster Phil Little
    Received the “Golden Life Achievement Award and Martial Arts Pioneer Award from the World Head of Family Sokeship Council Hall of Fame.
    Appointed Vice President of the “International Police Tactical Instructors Association”
    Appointed Vice President of the “The Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame” and to “The Universal Martial Arts Supreme Sokeship Council”.
    Co-authored, Isshin-Ryu Karate – The Ultimate Fighting Art, with Tim McGee
  • 1998     Inducted into The Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame Receiving, “The Living Legend Award”
    World Head Of Family Sokeship Council presents Grand Master Harold G. Long “The Living Legend” Award.

In December of 1995, Grand Master Long closed his dojo in Knoxville, Tennessee, and retired from active teaching. He moved into the US Naval Retirement Home in Gulfport, Mississippi, in 1996. He still represented Isshin-Ryu Karate at tournaments, clinics, seminars and special events until December of 1997.

Grand Master Long was married with three children. His oldest son Richard was born in Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, Michael was born in San Diego, California, and the youngest, Gary, was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In September 1998 he returned to Eastern Tennessee, where he was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer.  He remained there with his family, where he fought the only major battle he did not win.

On 23rd September, 1998, prior to his death, Grandmaster Long conferred upon me, Hanshi Phil Little, the rank of Ju-Dan (10th Degree). At this meeting, Grandmaster Long also showed me his Last Will and Testament reflecting his desire for me to inherit his personal karate files, awards and memorabilia.  It was a bittersweet day when he conferred upon me the honour and responsibility of this rank, along with his personal red belt, signed and dated by him.  Grandmaster Long had also given me permission on this date of 23rd September, 1998 to form our new organisation the “United States Isshinryu Karate Association” â„¢.

On 12th October, 1998, at approximately 10:20pm, Grandmaster Harold G. Long passed away.  This was a great loss to all of us in Isshinryu.  The legacy of this great man, The Grand Patriarch of Isshinryu, lives on through those lives he touched!  The passing of his body has taken place, but his spirit, through us, lives on!

Grandmaster Harold G. Long took many boys and moulded them into men.
I am no exception.  He influenced my life more than any other mortal man.

He was the toughest man I have ever known,
Yet his heart was gentle.
He trained me to fight,
But encouraged me to work with others toward common goals.

He showed me how to teach,
And how to learn.
He demonstrated unconditional loyalty to his teacher,
And demanded the same from me.

He taught me how to lead,
And how to follow.
He never feared controversy,
And welcomed it when the ends justified the means.

He exemplified tremendous strength and stamina,
Even in the face of illness.
He was the model student of the martial art
And the master instructor.

And in the end…
He taught me to live life to the fullest,
And to die with dignity.

 

In September 1998 he moved back to Knoxville, Tennessee for health reasons where he resided with his son Gary Long he could be closer to his family.

Grandmaster Harold G. Long passed away at approximately 10:20pm on 12th October, 1998.

In Loving Memory of Harold G. Long whose Legacy Continues to Inspire Us.