Phil Ortiz

Phil Ortiz has studied martial arts for more than 50 years. Throughout all his years of studying many budo arts he has made frequent trips to Japan refining his practice skills. Ortiz began a comprehensive study of kyudo (archery) 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 Rick Beal.

During his visits to Japan, Ortiz also had the opportunity to work with the Takeda Kybado (horse archery) near Kamakura.

Currently, Phil Ortiz teaches Iaido (sword) as senior instructor of the New York Budokai, which is the American representative of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu. Ortiz, under the guidance of Rick Beal, is also the senior instructor of the New York Dokokai, which is the represented style of Zen archery in New York.