PHILIP ORTIZ SENSEI (柳海)

KYOSHI (6.5 DAN) / SHINHANDAI – RYUSHIN SHOUCHI RYU

SHICHIDAN (7th DAN) – MUSO SHINDEN RYU

TEACHING LICENSE – KYUDO

NIDAN (2nd DAN) – JODO

As the chief instructor for the New York Budo Association, Sensei Phil Ortiz has studied martial arts for over 40 years. Beginning his career in Shorin-Ryu Karate under Sensei Ansei Ueshiro and Sensei James Wax, Shotokan Karate under Sensei Kurt Blackwood and Judo under Sensei Carl Jameson.

He began to study iai under Otani Sensei in 1972. Currently, he holds the rank of Shichidan (7th-degree black belt) in Muso Shinden Ryu and Kyoshi (intermediate rank above 6th-degree black belt) (Shihandai) in Ryushin Shouchi-Ryu under Yahagi Sensei. He has also helped establish most of the affiliated dojos across the United States, Canada, and Mexico – including California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Toronto, and Mexico City.

Phil Sensei runs our study group in SHINTO MUSO-RYU JODO under the guidance of the Ken Zen Institute. He also has a teaching license in Kyudo under Kanjuro Shibata Sensei and teaches Kyudo at NYBA. He also is a student of Yabusame (流鏑馬) (horseback archery) as well as practicing shuriken, tanjo, and tai-chi.

Throughout all his years of studying many budo arts he has made frequent trips to Japan refining his practice skills. Consecutively with his Iaido practice and study, Sensei Ortiz began a comprehensive study of Kyudo in 1975. He worked under the tutelage of Shigagi Sensei in NYC and later with Kanjuro Shibata Sensei and Sensei Don Simanski. Presently he is working with Zen Archery under the guidance of Sensei Rick Beal in California.

During his visits to Japan he also had the opportunity to work with the Takeda Kybado (horse archery) near Kamakura. In the United States in Fort Dodge, Iowa, he studied with head archers Kyueki and Misa Tsuyoshi of the Takeda Kyubado.

Under the guidance of Rick Beal Sensei he teaches Zen Archery in NYC.