Welcome to the new site of the WHD Affiliation Page
WHD represents William H. Duessel. It also stands for "will, heart and dedication," which Hanshi Duessel felt were important attributes for personal development within the Isshinryu community.
Two goals of the WHD Affiliation were paramount to Hanshi Duessel:
It maintains and cultivates meaningful relationships and
It ensures the continuity and consistency of the training among the practitioners of Isshinryu Karate that were affiliated with him.
The WHD Affiliation recognizes and respects all Isshinryu ranks, regardless of school, association, or affiliation. We welcome all Isshinryu practitioners to share the legacy of Hanshi William H. Duessel.
Our school hosts quarterly training seminars for Isshinryu practitioners who wish to enjoy this art to its fullest. A curriculum was developed around the WHD Affiliation to build and maximize Isshinryu karate as well as teach elements of self-defense and health-related exercises that William H. Duessel felt most complimented this martial art.
Hanshi William H. Duessel distinguished his practice through a relentless pursuit of the simplicity of technique. He did not embellish, mystify, or complicate the art. He was a workman, an artisan, and a craftsman whose practice evoked the Zen principle that "less is more." He led by example and taught how to live "The One-Heart Way."
Tatsuo Shimabuku made his historic first visit to the United States in September 1964. He stayed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and conducted classes here for two months.
William H. Duessel began Isshinryu training in 1962 and was awarded a black belt by Harry G. Smith. After 3 months of advanced training and semi-private lessons by Tatsuo Shimabuku, the Isshinryu founder personally acknowledged and awarded William H. Duessel his Sho-Dan. Hanshi Duessel was issued AOKA Certificate #56. That number remained with him when the association was reorganized as the Isshinryu World Karate Association in 1974.
On May 30, 2013, after 51 years of Isshinryu practice, and on his 86th birthday, William H. Duessel was promoted to the rank of 10th Dan by O'Sensei Kichiro Shimabuku, President of the Isshinryu World Karate Association. He was the only person to achieve that rank in the history of the IWKA.
We wish to honor his "will, heart and dedication" by continuing to promote and teach his vision of Isshinryu karate. We hope you will join us.