Harold G. Long

Harold G. Long (3 September 1930 – 12 October 1998) was an American martial artist and an Isshinryu karate pioneer. He founded the Isshinryu Hall of Fame and was the second person inducted, with founding Grandmaster, Tatsuo Shimabuku being the first.[1] Long achieved the rank of Jūdan (10th degree).[2][3] He was a co-founder of the International Isshin~ryu Karate Association,[4] and also served as the vice president of the United States Karate Association. He co-produced the first nationally televised Isshinryu Hall of Fame Karate Tournament (1992),[5] co-produced an instructional video series (1991) and co-authored seven books.[3] Shortly after Long's death, his student and co-author, Phil Little, fulfilled Long's goal of creating the United States Isshinryu Karate Association.[6]

This article is about the American martial artist. For other uses, see Harold Long (disambiguation).
Harold G. Long
Born(1930-09-03)3 September 1930
Rockwood, Tennessee
DiedOctober 12, 1998(1998-10-12) (aged 68)
Knoxville, Tennessee
Cancer
ResidenceUnited States
StyleIsshinryu Karate
Teacher(s)Tatsuo Shimabuku
RankJūdan 十段 10th Dan
OccupationMartial arts instructor
SpouseDoris Witsberger
ChildrenRichard, Michael, Gary
Notable school(s)
  • International Isshinryu Karate Association (IIKA)
  • United States Isshinryu Karate Association (USIKA)
Websitewww.usika.com

Background

Born in Rockwood, Tennessee, Long attended elementary school in Petros, Tennessee and played football at Central High School in Wartburg, Tennessee. He joined the Marine Corps in 1949 and fought in the battle Chosin Reservoir (27 November to 13 December 1950).[7][8]

Long married Doris Witsberger on October 18, 1952, in Wheeling, West Virginia, the couple had three sons, Richard, Michael and Gary.[1]

Career

While stationed in Okinawa, Japan 1957–1958, he petitioned to study Isshinryu under Tatsuo Shimabuku in Chan (Kyan) Village. He was accepted on his third visit to Shimabuku's dojo,[9] and spent the next twelve months, dedicating eight hours per day to his training.[7] Long's promotions from 1st Dan to 8th Dan were awarded by Shimabuku,[9] his 9th and 10th degrees were awarded by the International Isshin~ryu Karate Association.

Long opened his first Dojo in Twenty-nine Palms, California, where he taught until his discharge from the Marine Corps, in July 1959. Upon his return to East Tennessee, he established a dojo at the Marine Reserve Training Center.[1] At some point shortly after 1961, Long was appointed U.S. representative of the American-Okinawan Karate Association (AOKA).[9]

The rules for kata and kumite were adopted at the first World Karate Tournament in Chicago, Illinois in 1963. Long proposed the majority the competition rules with John Keehan, Phil Kepal, George Mattson, Anthony Mirakian, Roy Oshiro, Don Nagle, Ed Parker, Wendall Reeves, Jhoon Rhee, Mas Tsuruoka and Robert Trias also in the committee. The rules adopted from this meeting serve all United States karate tournaments, regardless of style.[1][3]

Returning to Okinawa in 1974, Long's plans for the International Isshin~ryu Karate Association (IIKA), gained the endorsement of Tatsuo Shimabuku before his passing in 1975. Upon Shimabuku's passing, Long became the legacy's patriarch and a senior Grandmaster of Isshinryu.[10][11]

In addition to teaching at his Knoxville, Tennessee dojo, Long published a series of books and instructional videotapes.[3] He was inducted into the Isshinryu Hall of Fame in 1981,[12] and World Karate Union Hall of Fame in 1997.[3]

Long retired from teaching in December 1995, but continued to represent Isshinryu Karate at public events for two more years. Long's dedication to Tatsuo Shimabuku and his Isshinryu style spanned 44 years.[13] In September 1998, Long was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was laid to rest on October 15, 1998, his final resting place is at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Rockwood, Tennessee.[3]

Legacy bestowal

Prior to Long's death, he confirmed his desire for Phil Little to inherit the Shimabuku-Long Isshinryu legacy. On September 23, 1998, Grandmaster Long bestowed the 10th degree rank of Jūdan, his personal Isshinryu Karate belongings and his vision of the creation of an umbrella group, the United States Isshinryu Karate Association, (U.S.I.K.A.), to Phil E. Little. In consultation with the World Head Of Family Sokeship Council, and in deference to surviving Don Nagle, Little elected to forgo displaying his 10th Degree ranking for the remainder of Nagle's lifetime (April 5, 1938 - August 23, 1999).[14]

Harold G. Long and Allen Wheeler
  • The Dynamics of Isshin-Ryu Karate, National Paperback Books (1978) OCLC 4114823[15]
  • The dynamics of Isshinryu karate, book two, National Paperback Books (1979) OCLC 17734299[16]
  • The dynamics of Isshinryu karate, book three,National Paperback Books (1980) OCLC 14523128 ISBN 9780898260069
  • Counter-attack! : how to survive on the street as taught by the Isshinryu black belts, National Paperback Books (1983) OCLC 13347450
Others
  • Okinawan weapons: Bo fighting techniques, National Paperback Books, by H. Long and P. Little, ISBN 978-0898260229 (1987)[3][11]
  • Who's Who in Isshin-Ryu, National Paperback Books, by H. Long, P. Manis and T. McGhee, (1981) OCLC 27053053 ISBN 0898260078[17]
  • Isshin-Ryu Karate – The Ultimate Fighting Art, Isshin-Ryu Productions, H. Long and T. McGhee, ISBN 978-0965845908 (1997)[3][11][18]

Video and television
  • Co-produced an eight tape instructional video series, Isshin-Ryu Karate (1991)[3]
  • Co-produced an eight tape instructional video series, Isshinryu karate : the ultimate self-defense (1991–92) OCLC 54836921[3][19]
Vol. 1 -Basics, Seisan & Seiunchin Kata
Vol. 2 -Naihanchin, Wansu & Chinto Katas
Vol. 3 -Kusanku, Sunsu & Sanchin Katas
Vol. 4 -Tokumine Bo, Urashi Bo, Shishi Bo, Bo-Bo Kumite
Vol. 5 -Kusanku Sai, Chatan Yara Sai, Tuifa & Bo-Sai Kumite
Vol. 6 -Kumite Techniques
Vol. 7 -Basic Self-Defense Techniques
Vol. 8 -Basic Self-Defense for Women (1992) OCLC 30406982
  • Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame Karate Tournament (1992)[5]

Events and milestones
Harold G. Long (honorifics)[3][5]
YearActivityOrganization
1975FoundedInternational Isshin~Ryu Karate Association (IIKA)
1980FoundedIsshinryu Hall of Fame (Induction of founding Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku)[12]
1981InductedIsshinryu Hall of Fame[12]
1991FoundedIsshin-Ryu Black Belt Society
1993InductedKnoxville Sports Hall of Fame, in Knoxville, Tennessee
1995MembershipTao of the Fist Martial Arts Fraternity
1996MembershipWorld Head of Family Sokeship Council for Isshin-Ryu Karate
Golden Lifetime Achievement Award of HonorWorld Karate Union[20]
Master Instructor of the Year AwardWorld Karate Union[20]
1997Doctorate Degree conferredCollege of Martial Arts
1998Golden Life Achievement AwardWorld Head of Family Sokeship Council Hall of Fame
Martial Arts Pioneer AwardWorld Head of Family Sokeship Council Hall of Fame
InductedWorld Karate Union Hall of Fame
InductedWorld Head of Family Sokeship Council Hall of Fame
InductedUniversal Martial Arts Hall of Fame
Living Legend AwardWorld Head Of Family Sokeship Council

References
  1. "Harold G. Long (Inducted in 1981)". The Isshinryu Hall Of Fame Inc. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  2. "Our History". BUSHIDO DOJO JOELTON. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  3. "HAROLD G. LONG Isshin-Ryu Karate". USADOJO.COM. 1998-10-12. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  4. Chris Thomas (July 1899). "Isshin-ryu Karate in America". Black Belt Magazine: 38–41. ISSN 0277-3066. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  5. Little, Phil. "My Humble Tribute to Grandmaster Harold G. Long" (PDF). CombativeFlow.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  6. Little, Phil (2 December 1998). "UNITED STATES ISSHINRYU KARATE ASSOCIATION". trademarkia.com. USPTO. Archived from the original on 19 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015. The USPTO has given the UNITED STATES ISSHINRYU KARATE ASSOCIATION trademark serial number of 75598005.
  7. Frank, Bram (May 2013). WHFSC Grandmaster's Council: a compendium of the world's leading Grandmasters (First ed.). Lulu.com. p. 357. ISBN 9781300575672. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  8. "Karate donation honors Harold Long". Roane County News. 8 January 2016. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  9. Evseeff, David D. (1996). Isshinryu Karate-Do. One-Heart Pub. Co. ISBN 978-0965345200. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  10. Dr. J.L. Aiello (1 June 1997). Heiho: Martial Arts Concepts & Strategy. Aiello Group. ISBN 978-1883702120. Retrieved 19 January 2016. HEIHO follows the vision of Grand Master Shimabuku & the tradition carried on by American Isshin Ryu Master Harold Long, recognized 10th Dan & current patriarch of the Isshin Ryu System.
  11. "Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku A BRIEF LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF ISSHIN-RYU KARATE IN AMERICA". United States Isshinryu Karate Association. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  12. "The Isshinryu Hall Of Fame". Isshinryu Hall Of Fame. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  13. "Isshin-ryu Legend Passes Away". Black Belt Magazine. Active Interest Media, Inc.: 94 February 1999. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  14. "Grandmaster Phil Little - Hanshi Ju-Dan Isshinryu Karate". Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  15. Harold Long; Allen Wheeler (1981). Dynamics of Isshinryu Karate. National Paperback Book Company. ISBN 9780898260021. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015. (first published 1978)
  16. Harold Long (December 1979). Dynamics of Isshinryu Karate Blue and Green Belt Book 2. ISBN 978-0898260045. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  17. Harold Long; Allen Wheeler; Steve Condry (1 January 1981). Who's Who in Isshinryu Karate. ISBN 978-0898260076. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  18. Harold Long (28 January 1997). Isshin-ryu karate: The ultimate fighting art. Isshin-Ryu Productions. ISBN 978-0965845908. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  19. "Isshinryu Karate with Master Harold Long". Black Belt Magazine: 75. August 1975. Series includes historical footage of Master Shimabuku performing each Kata.
  20. "WORLD KARATE UNION HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES". World Karate Union. 22 January 2009. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
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