Karate Five Association

Since its inception, Karate Five's Dojo black belts are trained in and hold rank in different martial arts disciplines. Cross training includes Isshinryu, Sanuces Ryu, Vee Jitsu and Modern and Military Arnis. Karate Five's black belts are recognized and well respected in martial arts circles.  Their demonstrations over the decades have been performed on television, in schools, at civic (indoor/outdoor) events, in churches, as well as Karate Five event sponsored tournaments, workshops and seminars.

Several of Karate Five masters have been honored with multiple inductions into the Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame (IHOF) and World Karate Union (WKU) Hall of Fame. Our students receive first class martial arts training and routinely place in the winning brackets at competitions and tournaments.

Master Harold Long learned the Isshinryu system style of karate in the 1950's from Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku while serving in the U.S. Marines in Okinawa. When Master Long returned home he began teaching karate in Knoxville, Tennessee in the late 1950's. 

Three of the original "five" founders of the Karate Five Dojo and Karate FIve Association were Grandmaster Willie Wilson, Grandmaster Melbert Lee Sr. (Fallen Warrior, December 2, 2017), and Master Linda Wilson who continued in that vision for over four decades.

Isshin Ryu

Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku was born in Okinawa in 1906 and is the creator of Isshinryu. He first won recognition for his karate abilities during a large martial arts festival in the Fatima village where he performed the katas in such a powerful and meaningful manner, his reputation througout Okinawa reached a peak early in World War II.

Although Grandmaster Shimabuku began his study of Shori-ti Karate at the age of 8 and after receiving a degree of skill in this system, he went on to formal training in Kobayshi-Ryu.  First under Chotoku Klyan and then later under Choki-Motobu--both also studied the art of the bo and sal as well as the tul-fa (Tonfa).

After the war Shimabuku became recognized throughout Okinawa as the leading practitioner of both Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu.

Shortly after World War II, he considered combining the various styles of karate into one style but met with resistance. The Masters of the different systems feared loss of identity and position.

However Master Shimabuku decided to proceed with his idea without their approval and on January 15, 1954 in the village of Chun, Isshinryu was born.

This is the generational lineage of Karate Five's Grandmasters and Masters under Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku and Grandmaster Harold Long:

Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku/Creator of Isshinryu System (Japan)

Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku/Grandmaster Harold Long (Knoxville, TN)

Grandmaster Harold Long/Grandmaster Melbert Lee Sr., Grandmaster Willie Garfield Wilson & Master Linda Wilson (Knoxville, TN)

It should be noted Grandmaster Shimabuku only visited the United States twice and one of those visits was to Harold Long in Knoxville, TN

Karate Five's Isshinryu Symbol, Logo and Martial Arts System Patches. For a closer view of the images below, click on this link, K-5 Logos and Patches:

Karate Five's Black Belts:

Grandmaster Willie G. Wilson, Ju Dan (10th) Degree Black Belt (Sanuces Ryu); Ku Dan (9th) Degree (Isshinryu); (4th) Degree in Vee-Jitsu; (1st) Degree in Arnis which includes Modern and Military Arnis; and Certified Instructor in Modern Arnis

Master Linda Wilson, Hachi Dan (8th) Degree Black Belt

Master Melbert Lee Jr., Hachi Dan (8th) Degree Black Belt

Grandmaster Maurice Msarsa, Ku Dan (9^th) Degree Black Belt

Instructor Anston Wilson, Shichi Dan (7th) Degree Black Belt

Instructor Kenneth “Slim” Jenkins, San Dan (3^rd) Degree Black Belt

Sensei Jon Whitehead, Go Dan (5th) Degree Black Belt

Instructor Johnny Stowers, San Dan (2rd) Degree Black Belt

Instructor Charlsie “CJ” Burnett, San Dan (3rd) Degree Black Belt

Instructor Marcus Campbell, Ni Dan (2nd) Degree Black Belt

Leadership Team Member, Dwayne Troutman, Sho Dan (1st) Degree Black Belt

Leadership Team Member, Jada Foster, Sho Dan (1st) Degree Black Belt