LET’S TRY TO CLEAR THE AIR!

 

  Because I have a web site, am on the Hall of Fame Board, the Harold Long Foundation Board, and I am chairman of the Isshin-ryu Cross-Trainers Alliance, (not to mention developing my own system), I am subject to a lot of verbal as well as email questions. The greatest majority are sincere because many people are somewhat isolated from general information, and get it in the form either, what I or others write, or rumor. Others are your basic sh--t stirrers and spend a great deal of time on their favorite past time. I also get the majority of my questions after tournaments or seminars. People compare notes and are curious as to the truth in between. My web page has a guest book which sometimes gets controversial. I have only one rule for the guest book. You must sign your name. What people say, or say about others, is up to them. I am not pledged to protect people from the criticism of others. I have arranged for all guest book comments to come to Jason Anzur and me. We do not evoke censorship, but we do look for dishonest statements made by fictitious people. Most people are afraid to go on the guest book and say what they say or ask me in private. I wish they would. I understand why they don’t when they are, under belts. I have only twice taken things off when people wrote to object that I put it on. The first one was a mistake that it got on in the first place and needed to come off. The second one, I should not have removed out of fairness to the system of open forum. I won’t do it again. The fact that my site, as well as myself is sometimes controversial, makes me a better target for my detractors. I have always been that way. I am unmoved by the opinions of people I have no respect for and am often glad I pissed them off. The bottom line is that it is my site and I say what I think. It is not mandatory that anyone read it. No one is forced to read it. Lots of people don’t, but records of people do. I must be doing something right. Mainly I apply the same work ethic to the site as I do the dojo. If people would just go back to work and get busy, they wouldn’t have time to worry about what someone is saying about them. I believe it to be the Mark Twain comment. “How disturbing it is to find, that most of what people say about us is true.”

 

  The first of the year is coming on fast. This year has brought about lots of changes that has created controversy, rumors, and progress. With that comes more controversy, rumors and the sh--t stirring gang. For that reason I would like to clarify my position on several repetitive questions you have asked the last year. I would like to go into 2010 unencumbered by speculation and answering the same questions over and over. Please don’t ask me if I really mean it or am I telling the truth. Like most of you, I am very busy right now and don’t have time to do this just as a typing drill. I usually try not to use names as it is a cheap shot to call out someone in print, that you have not done face to face. Believe me; No one that I talk about here has not had a personal conversation with me on the subject, or will be surprised at my comments.  I will however continue to generalize. They know who they are; and you probably do too. You asked about all of them. If you do not know, then it is a non issue with you and guessing won’t help.

 

  So here are the most asked questions by you.

 

Q) Why does the first Isshin-ryu generation get so much credit and do you think they were the best group. Are they better than the second or even third generation?

Ans) They were the best group for the job. They are also the reason we are all here studying Isshin-ryu. There were more true leaders in the first generation than any other. Not all of them made it their life’s work, but all contributed. As to who is best? I think the skill and knowledge gets better with each generation. I think the first were more physically tough and had to learn as they went. That is what is so unique about them. Few were in Okinawa long enough to get the training we have gotten. What they didn’t know, they made up for in hard work, study, and good old down home butt kicking.  The future generations will depend on continuing education and leadership. The education is there. The leadership is not.

 

 

Q) Why did you start another system, And did it make people mad?

Ans) With the changing and shifting of street fighting and more people learning martial arts fighting skills, I felt Karate alone was insufficient to protect yourself from all situations. That was seven years ago when I first put the new system into use and I have never second guessed myself since. In fact I am even more happy with that decision than before. Each of the two systems (Isshin-ryu and Dragon Sen-I Jutsu), has made the other stronger. I think it has offended some of the Isshin-ryu traditionalist. I understand their feelings of loyalty. However when you trot out Names of People who are combining systems and disciplines it isn’t even arguable. So many excellent Isshin-ryu people are doing it now, I don’t think it has had the negative impact it had before. I also think it has scared some people who teach in a one system way, knowing that what they are teaching is good, but losing popularity with the younger generation of martial artist. . I also think they are worried, that the true art of Isshin-ryu and the teaching of Master Shimabuku is going to be compromised and forgotten. I don’t believe that, as there are not enough people truly interested in cross training, for that to occur. I also notice that most of the best cross training masters, are also the best Isshin-ryu trainers. But these are all my opinions and the final answer will be, what is best for your students. I think that 20 years from now people will be doing something better than what we are doing now.

 

Q) How can you say that the ICA is right to support the teachings of Mr. Long and the formation of the Harold Long Foundation. What would Mr. Long say and isn’t it a contradiction of his Isshin-ryu only, principals?

Ans) The ICA came along after the HLF. The ICA financially supports the HLF with its money, not its ideology. This is an easy difference to understand. Problem is, anti ICA people want to discredit the HLF with unfair comparisons and “guilt by association” comments. People are still mad at the Long family for supporting their dads selection of Phil Little as his successor. If your Father ask you on his dying bed to support some one would you? After a fair time period, that promise of support was not a workable situation. The Longs Separated them selves from Phil Little, reclaimed his memorabilia and certifications and formed the HLF. Fact: There are no organizations “directly” supporting the memory of Harold Long in a tangible way except the HLF. Most people now never saw or met Mr. Long. Going to a few tournaments or even one which bears his name isn’t going to change that. We (ICA) financed the HLF by training and working our butts off at seminars. We put a Harold Long memorabilia display together and protected his most valuable artifacts with expensive custom made showcases. Is there something about that, that duplicates anything anyone else is doing? And too, who knows what Mr. Long would say about the ICA. He accepted and verified my Kung Fu black belt and allowed me to continue to teach Kung fu. He also gave me a Ni-dan in Isshin-ryu soon after. He also promoted Dr. Jerry Aiello to Isshin-ryu Judan. Dr. Aiello’s main system was and is; Shito Kan. Within his teachings is a chart called, chart three. It is bunkai for Goshin Jujutsu. Obviously this didn’t bother Mr. Long.  I hate saying all this as it just comes off justifying it. No matter what I say some will find a way to talk it down.  When you talk down the ICA you are talking down a lot of hard work by a lot of good people. Our board is a group of the best martial arts masters in the country. There is little that they don’t know, and nothing they won’t share. They are working Masters with passion for what they do. On the next level is the development board with many existing leaders who will be in a higher position of leadership in the future.

 

Q) Do you dislike the IIKA?

Ans) No, Not as a whole. I just dislike a couple of their board members. I very much like the others and all of the rank and file members. JC Burris and I disagree with just about everything each is doing in his association but there is not personal dislike. At least not on my end. Tommy True is the person on the board working hard to keep it moving. We are polar opposites in our martial arts direction, but that has nothing to do with my respect for him as a Isshin-ryu icon and a man who thinks for himself.

 

Q) Are you still head sensei of the Nashville Dojo?

Ans) No. Only Butch Hill still refers to me as his sensei.  I recognize Butch Hill as my senior student.  As time goes by, people and directions change. All the present Nashville people are IIKA and hold to its philosophy. However, Tony Williams, Kelly Markham and I, still have a strong relationship. Tony was never directly under me. Kelly was, but moved to Rogersville.   Past ones you may have heard of are Jim Lindsey, Gary Earhart, Tony Hood and Jim Bo Butler. They became inactive. They were the beginning of what was once a great fighting tradition. Seven Hall of Famer’s came out of the Nashville Dojo. I hope to repeat that in the Red Dragon Dojo. We are off to a good start.

 

Q) Why did you kick Tony Williams off the ICA board?

Ans) I didn’t. Tony could have stayed on as long as he wanted to. He is a valued friend and got caught in the middle of his friendship with me and his friendship with the Nashville group and the IIKA. He was very uncomfortable knowing that the two groups didn’t care much for me or the ICA. He also knew we felt the same. He talked to Butch about it and Butch recommended I let him off the hook, because based on our friendship, Tony didn’t want to ask me. We talked and decided his role on the board would end, but not his participation in the training. I hope he continues to train with us. He is a valuable person to have around.

 

Q) What happened at his tournament?  Did that start it?

 
Ans) No, that ended it and any further attendance of my dojo group attending IIKA sanctioned tournaments. My black belts voted for that. They felt that they had been jacked around deliberately on more than one occasion. The Lebanon Tournament just brought all the hard feeling to a head. We let ourselves get carried away. We were mostly mad at ourselves for going in the first place but wanted to support Tony. He would have been better off if we had not gone. I apologized to him later in a letter. None of it was his fault.

 

Q) Why did some of you turn your backs on the IIKA bow in? That seemed rude and disrespectful.

Ans) Yes in some ways it was. Here is my answer and you can judge for yourself. It has been my experience that the IIKA and most organizations have all ranking Masters, especially ku-dans, to stand up front at the bow in. In line were five Kudans: Joe Laney, Cas Cox, Willie Wilson, Melbert Lee and myself. We were ignored except for Tony mentioning our presence and were kept standing in line. Most wanted to walk out of line and stand in the back. I suggested we just bow our own students in. We turned around when the bow was called and did just that. The largest group there was the ICA contingent. It was an obvious slight that didn’t set well with anyone. Especially all of our students who have attended enough tournaments to know when you are being put in “your place.” People that remember him always asked what Mr. Long would have done. I have been to a lot of tournaments with him. My best guess is he would have walked out and taken his whole group with him. He essentially did that when he started having closed Isshin-ryu tournaments. It was just one more reason to not to attend any more IIKA tournaments. It is unfair to everyone for this kind of hostility to affect anyone’s tournament. It is their tournament, their rules, and their organization. If you don’t like it, don’t become a distraction, just don’t go. That was our decision. It bothers me and my guys not to support Tony, Kelly Markham and Jerry Sullivan. They are personal friends and dragon tab holders. I wrestle with the decision only because of that. I am proud of these three guys and want to show my appreciation for their contributions to every ones students.

 

Q) What if you just don’t like what the ICA does?

Ans) I know a lot of people who do not like the cross training aspect and I understand. That is freedom of choice. The ICA needed to generate money for the HLF, so I pushed a little bit harder than I should at times, but the job got done. I found out a lot about people and their so called loyalty to Mr. Long. They used excuses of personal feelings toward some ICA board members as a reason not to contribute or participate. I made it clear from the start that it was an either or and we had several people just donate 25.00 dollars to the HLF and never come to an ICA jam. Others who hid behind sanctimonious resentment for individuals, their rank ect, were not participating due to the grief it would cause them in their association. Some were friends. Friends who ate for many years from my table of opportunity, only to refuse sharing crumbs now. Basically when the HLF is financially strong enough, I just want some people interested in training hard a few weekends a year. All that other crap will never have to come in to play. I don’t care if it is just four or five dojo’s getting together. Actually I suspect it to turn out this way. It is hard and it is rough. It is the same as a very physical dojo. Everyone will not want to participate in that hard core training. And to refer to your original question again; some are just not interested in cross training.

 

Q) Do you think that you deserve to be an 10^th dan In Isshin-ryu?

Ans) No I do not. I think only Master Shimabuku was a 10^th dan and the rest of us are 9^th dans at most. I’ve always thought that you should be the originator of your style to be a 10^th dan. But the rules changed. I didn’t change them, I am only trying to live respectfully within them. I would say as a substitute, that Master Harold Mitchum should be the only 10^th dan, as he is the ranking senior Isshin-ryu man in the world. I signed his certificate feeling that way and I still do.  But that is not going to happen either. It has gone too far. I look around me and I have no problem at all standing beside any other 10^th dan. I feel as good or better and most would be hard pressed to match my credentials. Most people feel all rank has gotten out of hand. In some ways it has, but you have to stop and realize that everyone is a lot older, has been at it a long time, accomplished much and deserve the rank. It is just that a lot of us came of age at the same time. One of the fallacies is that is, some have been promoted on time and opportunity, not merit. Skill wise, they were never very good fighters, teachers, leaders ect. They were good politicians and hung in there. All of life is much like that. I would also like to say that the people who did sign my Isshin-ryu Judan and urged me to keep it, I have the deepest respect for. Their opinions are always the ones I seek anyhow. They gave me some very convincing and also flattering reasons why I should accept it.

 

Q) Why didn’t Master Mitchum sign your certificate?

Ans) Like it or not I am forced to deal with this, as it has been asked so many times. First he was asked inadvertently to do so.  I asked that only the people who had been directly responsible for my success be asked to sign. Some one asked him without my knowledge. It was an honest mistake which for awhile put both of us on a spot.  He said no for his own reasons; none which were personal. He has never had any dealings with me other than tournaments and social situations. He has his own standards and criteria which include doing kata as he and Master Shimabuku do it. I do kata as Harold Long did it, right or wrong. I also have an alternate system I teach which puts us on different paths. We have discussed this and have a complete understanding and mutually respectful relationship. I’m sure as a Ju-dan eventually I will face the same thing. I hope I handle it as fairly as he did.

 

Q) Did some sign your Sen-I Jutsu certificate that didn’t sign your Isshin-ryu?

Ans) Yes. Some signed both, some just one. I suppose some had their reasons. Only a couple did I take exception to. It was a shock and it hurt me deeply. Now I am glad it happened. I won’t have to waste my time on a relationship and friendship that only existed as long as it stayed politically correct. . As far as my Sen-I certificate, I have no qualms at all about that. It is a fantastic system that I know will stand up to any other. As a founder of that system, I feel it is righteous promotion and so did a lot of excellent masters who signed it.

 

  Well that is most of the heavy stuff. I noticed that this was making for long reading. So I end it here and wait for you to originate more. I can promise you that I will not address these present issues again.

 

  It has been a good year, but a rough year for some old friendships and assumed loyalty. But for every door that slams shut, another opens wide. I have acquired some good friends and colleagues as well as a new dojo and some good students. The HLF and ICA have been a labor of love. Our new Hall of Fame Board alignment is strong and eager to make things happen. I think next year, you will come to the best HOF weekend ever. Those who stay interested and attend ICA Jams, will continue to go away saying each and every one was the best.  One thing I do know; I have worked very hard with and against the winds of change at times. Ultimately the year has been a shake out process for me. I’m ready for the next round and until father time says differently, my training will always be a work in progress.

 

  Just remember: You can’t hide you faults from God and you can’t hide what you don’t know in the streets. You also can’t hide extra money from your wife… I’ll close now………………whooowhaa!