Harold G. Long

Harold Gene 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 Isshin-ryu Karate Association.^[6]

Born in Rockwood, Tennessee, Long attended elementary school in Petros, Tennessee and played football at Central High School in Wartburg, Tennessee. He joined the United States Marine Corps on January 12, 1950 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] The couple divorced in December 1988.

While stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Courtney in Okinawa, Japan from July 1957 to August 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 to 1st Dan (1958), 6th Dan (1958), 7th Dan (1960), and 8th Dan (1966) were awarded by Shimabuku,^[9] his 9th (1981) and 10th (1988) degrees were awarded by the International Isshin-ryu Karate Association.^{[citation needed]}

Long opened his first Dojo at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine 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] In 1966, Long was appointed U.S. representative of the American-Okinawan Karate Association (AOKA).^[9]

The rules for kata and kumite were adopted at the United States Karate Association's first World Karate Tournament in Chicago, Illinois in July 1963. Long proposed the majority the competition rules with John Keehan, Phil Koeppel, George Mattson, Anthony Mirakian, Roy Oshiro, Don Nagle, Ed Parker, Kim Reeves, Wendell 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 IIKA legacy's patriarch and a senior Grandmaster of Isshin-ryu.^[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 Isshin-ryu 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]

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]

• 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

• 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]
• Okinawan Weapons: Sai and Tonfa Fighting Techniques, Isshinryu Productions, by H. Long and P. Little, ISBN 978-0965845915 (1997)

• 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]

• Official website