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GRANDMASTER HAROLD LONG

     In referring to Grandmaster Long in this article, I will use the title "Mister" in the text. For the thirty-two years I was his student, that was all I ever called him. Once, when we were out socially, he told me to call him Harold. I tried it but nearly choked on the words. He told me that again at another time, but this time I just said, "I can't. He said, "all right sir," and it was never mentioned again.

    It doesn't seem possible, but eight years ago (Oct. 12th 1998) Mr. Long passed away. I remember the call from Phil McElroy like it was yesterday. A thousand thoughts raced through my head at the time. Mostly was the realization that he was a mere mortal like the rest of us. He was always bigger than life. In a hero seeking society like ours, he was our hero. I used to say that John Wayne was Playing Harold Long. I thought about our last few conversations when he was battling to regain his health. He was frustrated because he was gaining size around the middle while diligently following his program. I too was stumped but we changed his program and decided to give this one another couple of weeks. In that time he gained even more. I suggested that he see another Doctor as this wasn't normal. When he called to tell me the news, I couldn't find anything to say try how I might. He just said, "I have to go". "I have a lot of decisions to make". "I love you." His words hit me like a ton of bricks. At that point the Isshin-ryu world began to turn on a dime. I feared for the future of Isshin-ryu because, he was Isshin-ryu as far as I was concerned. His final decisions were as controversial as he knew it would be. So he decided to set up the only method of growth Isshin-ryu people are used to;. . . . . COMPETITION!!!! With this decision, he also gave people alternatives to a single association and a single ideology. He made it possible for Isshin-ryu to grow in different directions. I didn't get that for awhile and felt that everyone should be unified. I was afraid that he had neutralized what was once unified. What he knew was that we were never all unified, and only he kept us all getting along. Without him, that wasn't going to continue, so he set the stage for the "separately together" mentality we have now. This was the genius of Mr. Long. He was always more than one big step ahead. His advantage was a systematic mind, a full blown approach, and he really knows people. I was really frustrated at how sluggishly we moved along afterwards. Thing was, he had us so far ahead of the game, it took awhile for us to catch up. I think about him often and how easy he made leadership look. This of coarse was a rare trait as leadership, "true leadership," is a millstone around your neck at times. He was given the burden of ultimate responsibility to introduce and perpetuate an art that most people dismissed as some Japanese whoo doo. How much of a believer do you have to be to get Isshin-ryu from where he started to now? The incredible pressure and responsibility that he must have felt, must many times have been overwhelming. He tried to involve himself in other business interest, but his passion for Isshin-ryu prevented him from succeeding as he otherwise would have. If not for that, he could have been the president of a large company or at the least a very wealthy man. He was a very savvy business man and could have made a great deal of money running his dojo. I said could have. . . . . . . What he couldn't do is suffer a fool, or accept any nonsense. I think he kicked someone out every time I was there. He never gave dues or income a though when someone crossed the line with him. For this principle, we owe him our undying gratitude. He taught those of us who were willing to listen, that his Isshin-ryu principals were non-negotiable, and if you didn't have the courage of your convictions you were nothing. Of coarse all of us were petrified that we were going to disappoint him or let him down in some way. His blow ups are legendary and of volcanic proportion. The stories of some unsuspecting schmuck getting on his bad side are numerous. Mr. Long knew who to come down on. Sometimes it seemed strange that he would rake a guy over, or just seem to be picking him when the guy appeared to be so dedicated and hard working. Here is where you had to put your emotions behind you and learn. He always went after the strong committed guys, because they could take it. It was a way of getting everyone's attention. Especially the ones who would have fallen apart if he had come down on them. It was also his way of flushing out the hangers on. He knew when a guy was just waiting for an excuse to quit so he gave them one. And... something to remember on their way out the door. Don't get me wrong. He made mistakes and he wasn't perfect. He had a few parting of the ways confrontations that could have probably been handled differently. Of the ones I can remember, each person walked away with a lot more than they started with. They left with knowledge (they got from him), a recognizable name, (from being associated with him), and an opportunity to take their rank, (they received from him), and do it their way. Some did well. Some just disappeared in a pout.

    When I decided to write this article, I could never decide what I wanted to say. I vacillated between telling the many Harold Long stories (that are now vintage as they are famous), or some personal experiences with him. I decided to do neither. Those stories should be in a book about him, and I certainly didn't want this article to be about me. I wanted to capture his legendary image somehow and illustrate it proportionately. This in a simple article is of coarse, impossible. That would take volumes. Many of you who will read this article know him as well or better than I do. So it is unnecessary to try to describe him. To those of you who did not have the opportunity to know him, or know him well; you missed one of God's more unique people he placed on this earth. He was born to lead and he never shrank from that responsibility. He was generous to a fault, but was a nightmare to those who didn't appreciate it. He gave respect and he damn well expected it in return. He was down to earth, but he knew who he was. I realized after some time around him, he was basically lonely due to his responsibilities and what we needed from him. He loved to sit among us and tell and listen to stories. He was also a man aware of his own tender heart. So he would pull you close then push you away again. He knew that in his role, it was more important to be respected than loved. He loved his family and his Isshin-ryu family as well, but you'd better act like family. He alone took the responsibility for everyone and everything, but you'd better be out there doing your part. If you screwed up due to effort he was fine. If it was lack of effort, you were about to enter "Harold Long Hell". I went there once. I never went back. He sometimes gave rank in a curious method. I think he adopted some of his promotional philosophy from Grandmaster Shimabuku. At times he awarded rank beyond the person's present ability. With hopes that he would grow to it. It worked for Grandmaster Shimabuku, and it worked for a Mr. Long, as long as he was alive. I would love to see what rank some would be if Mr. Long could come back for a day and retest, or review what they have been doing since his passing. OH MAN WOULD I LOVE TO SEE THAT!!!!

    There are many stars in his Isshin-ryu heaven. All you have to do is look at the people he trained and are now training others. He began and led a movement that has now become a life-force. What ever any one of us do and accomplish from here on, will be directly due to his leadership and vision.

    I hope this simple article will be a testimony of my love and appreciation. Meeting Mr. Long was a life changing experience for us all. No Matter how we feel regarding each other, he was the common denominator for us all. We owe it to him to proceed with honor and respect for and with, anyone trying to legitimately continue his dream. But lets also not be fooled by anyone using his name to continue their own selfish pursuits.

    May God continue to bless your memory with us Mr. Long. May we speak of your passing as not a recollection of the past, but as the legacy you left us for future growth.

    A couple of my favorite pictures and memories of Mr. Long.

June 1968

Mr. Longs first visit to our Nashville Dojo. He would never accept a penny from me because we drove to study under him. I got my first uke training. An unforgettable experience.

January 1968

Accepting my trophy from him in Lexington, Kentucky. He lined me up beside and told me to blast this guy who had moved into town on him. I broke the guys jaw and got promoted to Ni-Dan. Yes, the guy moved back out of town. . . . .

1984

The Hall of Fame Board. I was inducted that year. I was honored but a little embarrassed as I realized that I went in ahead of more noted and deserving people. I still feel that way but I hope he feels that I have grown in to by now. This board was just one of the vehicles he instituted to get good Isshin-ryu people recognized. It remains in my opinion the most prestigious of all Martial Arts Halls of Fame.

Left to right Don Bordinger, me, Cass Cox, J.C. Burris, Mr. Long, Phil McElroy, Allen Wheeler, Maurice Msarsa, Tommy True, Jimbo Butler, Jim McDonald

1967

My first certification from Mr. Long. He didn't just start throwing Isshin-ryu certificates at me. A week later I requested instruction in Isshin-ryu and he accepted me as a student. I then went through the process. . . . oh boy did I ever. Thanks Cass Cox, Maurice Msarsa, J. C. Burris, Tommy True, Butch Chilton, and of coarse Mr. Long himself, for making all those trips up, as painful as possible. But I wouldn't take anything for them.

Master Denny Shaffer, Ku-Dan

POST SCRIPT:
 
 HAROLD LONG MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
 
On April 14th, 2007, The 1ST,Harold Long Memorial Tournament, will be held in Knoxville Tennessee . It will be hosted by ; Master Joe Laney and the Long Family. At this writing, no one else is sponsoring or affiliated. It is solely organized and managed by the aforementioned people, for the purpose of kicking off a campaigned to have Mr. Long inducted into the Tennessee Hall of Fame. Part of the promotional activities will be a display of Mr. Longs certifications, memorabilia, and personal items. This, like the tournament will be the first of it's kind. It will later be on display at Harold Long Realty. There also are plans to make a mobile display to share with all of us at other tournaments and events. I hope everyone supports this tournament and honors Mr. Long. I am satisfied that there is no political agenda here. It is simply an idea that is way over due. It is also an opportunity to come together at a tournament, that has O'Sensei's (Mr. Long) best interest and memory at heart.