During a trip to New York in May 2025, the Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido, represented by Saiko-Shihan Christian Wiederanders, visited Sensei Phil Ortiz, who has also been studying martial arts for over 40 years. This international exchange has been taking place for many years, whether in Africa, Asia, or now in America. New York Budo Association ニューヨーク武道協会 was founded in 1963 by Otani Sensei as one of the first non-profit traditional Japanese Budo schools in the USA. The focus was on the exchange of Japanese sword art and modern training methods. As premises in New York are very expensive, training takes place in rented premises just outside the city. For comparison, members pay between $70 and $90 per month, depending on the services they use. Phil Ortiz was enthusiastic about the continuation of the school founded by Miyamoto Musashi. There will be further exchanges on this topic. The services offered include:

– Iaido – Japanese sword (居合道) – Ryushin Shouchi Ryu (柳心照智流)
– Kyudo (弓道) – Japanese archery – Heki Ryu Bishu Chikurin-Ha (日置流尾州竹林派)
– Naginata* (薙刀) – Japanese pole weapon – Atarashii Naginata (あたらしいなぎなた)

As Chief Instructor of the New York Budo Association, Sensei Phil Ortiz has studied martial arts for over 40 years. He began 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. In 1972, he began studying Iai under Sensei Otani. He currently 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 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Toronto, and Mexico City. Phil Sensei leads our study group in SHINTO MUSO-RYU JODO under the guidance of the Ken Zen Institute. He also holds a teaching license in Kyudo under Kanjuro Shibata Sensei and teaches Kyudo at the NYBA. He is also a student of Yabusame (流鏑馬) (horseback archery) and practices Shuriken, Tanjo, and Tai-Chi.