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NEW YORK BUDOKAI (ニューヨーク武道会)

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New York Budokai is a martial arts dojo (school) which specializes in iaido (居合道 pronounced e-i-do). Popularly known as “the art of drawing the sword”. These teachings have evolved from the warrior class know as samurai. Developed by Hayashizake Jinsuke Shigenobu in the late 16th Century after Japan was unified under the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. The basic principal involves controlled, precise movements of drawing the sword from it’s scabbard (saya), striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade (chuburi), and then replacing the sword in the scabbard (noto).

Iaido teaches the use of actual metal weaponry, these techniques are real (this is not a sport). These techniques are taught through forms (kata). We also have partner practice or sparring (kumadachi), where we use wooden swords (bokken). All students use an unsharpened sword (iaito) for safety reasons. We also practice cutting bamboo mats (tameshigiri), for this we use real sharpened swords (shinken) under very close supervision.

New York Budokai is not a commercial dojo, but a membership organization. None of the instructors are paid to teach or manage the Dojo.

New York Budokai was founded by Sensei Yoshiteru Otani in the late 1960’s and is one of the oldest sword dojos in the United States. This school has been located all over Manhattan, renting space wherever it could and it’s students have gone on to found several other schools around the country.

== THE HISTORY OF NEW YORK BUDOKAI (ニューヨーク武道会の歴史) ==

'written by Stanley Chin (Interview and collaboration with Phil Ortiz.)'

New York Budokai was founded by Sensei Yoshiteru Otani as New York Iaikai in the early 1970’s. Otani Sensei had arrived in the United States from Osaka, Japan in 1954. He came from a Samurai lineage to this country as a highly skilled Iaido practitioner (Art of the Japanese Sword.) In addition he made an extensive study of Zen philosophy.

At the time of Sensei’s arrival, the United States was being introduced to the philosophy of the Samurai, through several films which explored the art of the Japanese sword. The 1954 Seven Samurai, directed by Akira Kurosawa and the 1955 Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto directed by Hiroshi Inaki. The films contained powerful cinematic scenes that moved many to seek out the philosophy of the Samurai and to become interested in the sheer beauty of the art of the Samurai sword – Iaido. The popularity of these films paved the way for Otani Sensei to become the pioneer Iaido Instructor on the East Coast.

Although in 1964 he began teaching Judo (which was already popular in the US) at the McBurney YMCA in NYC, his true mission was to introduce Iaido and Zen philosophy. In the late 1960’s he gave a lecture/demonstration called “Zen Philosophy and The Samurai Spirit”. The WAY OF THE SWORD was launched in New York City.

In the early 70’s, Otani Sensei joined a group of elite martial arts instructors to form The Japan Cultural Center known as the “largest martial arts school in the USA”. Three floors of Japanese masters. Judo: Sadaki Nakabayashi – 9th degree; Karate: Shigeru Numano-5th degree (East coast Karate champion); Kempo: Masami Kudo – 4th degree; Kendo and Iaido: Yoshiteru Otani – 7th degree Kendo, 8th degree Iaido.

A few years later Otani Sensei founded his own dojo, New York Iaikai teaching Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido (live blade), Kendo (bamboo shinai) and Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo (short staff). Among his early students was Tom Dreitlein (Ajo) and Phil Ortiz, the present head instructor of New York Budokai. Tom, along with being a fine practitioner also documented the Zen theory and philosophy and transcribed Japanese texts for the dojo. He also wrote the official New York Iaikai dojo manual; An Introduction to the Technique and Principle of Japanese Fencing©1978.

Otani Sensei led New York Iaikai members to demonstrations all over the East coast. Among the highlights was an exhibition for faculty and cadets at West Point Academy in 1978 during which Sensei addressed a 4,500 seat audience. The lecture/demonstration was enthusiastically received. Later that year, Otani Sensei brought Takeshi Mitsuzuka Sensei over from Japan for a seminar in Muso Shinden Ryu, Kendo and Jodo. And in 1982 Sensei sponsored Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi who was Soke of Togakure Ryu Ninjitsu. New York Iaikai members had the privilege of studying with him. Terutaka Kawabata Sensei a very high-ranking practitioner of Tenshinsho Jigen Ryu and good friend of Otani Sensei also held a seminar for New York Iaikai members.

By the later 1980’s Otani Sensei traveled to Japan extensively and New York Iaikai was led by senior teachers including Charles Boleware and Phil Ortiz in Iaido, Frank Lisi in Kobudo, Aramaki Tomoyuki (all Japan Kendo champion) in Kendo. Otani Sensei would come regularly to teach and also to lecture on Samurai history, Zen philosophy and Bushido. One of his most consistent lessons was, “We should live everyday as if it was our last. So everyday we should help someone. When you do “Shohatto”, it should be your best as if this day will be your last.” He taught the Samurai spirit. He stressed courage “to confront your opponent with no fear. If you can face a fierce opponent with a razor sharp sword, you could confront your fears in other areas with composure and a relaxed state of mind.”

Phil Ortiz joined Iaikai in 1973 and when Otani Sensei retired from actively teaching in 1990 he became Head Instructor. Phil Ortiz Sensei is in direct lineage of Otani Sensei being one of his original and most gifted students as demonstrated by an event in which Phil Sensei was promoted by Otani Sensei who had requested that Phil and Charles Boleware do “Irohauchi” (a kumitachi involving cuts and blocks that increase in speed.) The speed and accuracy of which their bokkens hit each other created a sound similar to that of an airplane propeller and produced a smell of burning wood. Otani Sensei was so impressed that he took off his own “red belt” and gave it to Phil. He was promoted on the spot to 7th dan.

New York Iaikai changed its name to New York Budokai. The location of the dojo has changed over the years from Rhodes Fencing Academy on East 86th St., to Paul Sanasardo Studios on 21st St., to Finis Jung Studio on Upper Broadway, to NY Spaces on W. 55th and is currently located at Ripley Grier on 8th Avenue near 36th Street.

In 2004 Yoshiteru Otani Sensei passed away. In 2006 Terukata Kawabata Soke retired. New York Budokai is now under the tutelege of Yahagi Kunikazu Soke in Japan (direct lineage from Kawabata Sensei). New York Budokai, under the leadership of Phil Ortiz Sensei, has an active relationship with Yahagi Soke sponsoring him for trips and seminars here in the United States and traveling to Japan to study with him there. New York Budokai is also a member of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu – USA, which includes dojos in New Jersey, Queens, Long Island and Florida with members as far away as California.

Fifty six years ago Sensei Yoshiteru Otani came to this country and introduced it to Iaido and The Moving Zen. His students from New York Budokai will continue to honor his spirit and mission of keeping Iaido alive by teaching “the art of the sword that gives life.”

YOSHITERU OTANI SENSEI (大谷 芳照 先生)

'written by Stanley Chin (Interview and collaboration with Phil Ortiz.)'

Yoshiteru Otani Sensei was born on November 17, 1929 in Osaka, Japan, and passed away on June 29, 2004 at 75 years old.

He came from a Samurai family lineage. At age 6, his father began training him in the martial arts. Kumao Ohno Sensei trained him from age 15, and at 20 he studied Iaido with Tadatsugu Shimizu Sensei, 9th dan Iaido, 9th dan Kendo and 9th dan Jujitsu. Other training was acquired with Takeshi Mitsuzuka Sensei. He became the All-Japan Sumo Wrestling champion in his age group at 31. By the age of 45 Otani Sensei had an 8th dan in Iaido, 7th dan in Kendo, and 6th dan in Judo.

Otani Sensei received a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Kwansai University in Japan, and because of his love of writing, he had ambitions of someday becoming a journalist. Otani Sensei was a close friend of Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi Soke and the author Yukio Mishima. He knew Ueshiba Morihei Sensei and Donn Draeger. In Japan, he served as the Secretary to the Speaker of the House. He later resigned this post and founded one of Japan’s largest camera equipment firms. Otani Sensei studied Zen philosophy and Samurai history and taught this along with Iaido. He gave many lectures to massive audiences. He was also an advocate of bringing quality higher education to Japan.

Otani Sensei came to America in 1954 to help promote sales for his company. While here, he taught Judo at the McBurney YMCA in New York City. He also served as Director on the AAU Judo Championship Committee.

In 1972 he founded The Japan Cultural Center, with 3 floors devoted to different martial arts. It became the largest martial arts school in America. Otani Sensei taught Iaido, Kendo and Jodo. He founded his own dojo, New York Iaikai, in the 1970’s. Otani Sensei created “kumadachi” katas (partner forms using bokkens) based on Ono-ha Itto Ryu and other schools. These forms are practiced exclusively at New York Budokai.

From 1974 to 1986, Otani Sensei was featured in, and wrote articles for many martial arts publications, including Black Belt magazine. He was also featured in a 1993 book; “The Original Martial Arts Encyclopedia: Tradition, History, Pioneers” by John Corcoran. In the 1970’s Otani Sensei was featured on the television talk show, “The Mike Douglas Show”. One of his demonstrations was in cutting a watermelon in half with a one-handed “Do-Giri” (horizontal) cut. Otani Sensei was a true pioneer and leader. He was the first to teach Iaido and Kendo on the East Coast.

He taught Zen philosophy, Samurai spirit and history to his students and the world. He believed that the practice of Iaido would increase your concentration due to the intense focus necessary to draw, cut, and return, a live blade to the scabbard with lightning speed. He also believed this would develop your character and spirit, so you would have the courage to pursue your ambitions. But most importantly, he believed it is about helping others find their path. Otani Sensei inspired his students to the end to strive to be their very best, to do their best Iaido, and to always seek excellence, and his spirit endures.