David Drawdy

David Drawdy Sensei is a director of the Capital Area Budokai and Dojo Cho of the Virginia Kenkonkai. Drawdy Sensei is Nanadan, Renshi in Nakamura Ryu Battodo and a Shibucho (branch chief) in the International Batto Do Federation.

He lived and trained in Japan while stationed there in the U.S. Army. While in Japan, he trained under Nakamura Soke learning first hand the art of Battodo. In addition, Drawdy Sensei is a Yondan in Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo under the Yokohama Mugaikai branch of the Shiryukai.

Bob Elder

Bob Elder Sensei began dealing in Japanese swords around 1979. One of his customers at a Houston sword show was Hataya Mitsuo. At this show, a friend happened to mention to Elder Sensei that Hataya Sensei was not only a dealer but a master swordsman. He invited Hataya Sensei to come to Orlando the following year prior to the Tampa sword show and Hataya Sensei accepted. Thus began in earnest Bob Elder’s study of practical Japanese swordsmanship and particularly that of Toyama Ryu Battodo.

Elder Sensei is the founder of the US Federation of Battodo, and is currently a Shichidan, Hanshi in Toyama Ryu Battodo. He has successfully organized and hosted many years of Tai Kai in Orlando for a steadily growing group of swordsmen and swordswomen of a variety of arts from around the nation.

Mike Femal

Mike Femal Sensei has taught Toyama Ryu Battodo in St. Petersburg, Florida, since 2001. He has won 12 gold medals in competitions in both the United States and Japan, and was the overall champion in the 2001 and 2003 Orlando Batto Jutsu Tai Kai. He was one of the founding members of the US Federation of Battodo.

Femal Sensei is dedicated to the study of Japanese swordsmanship as the Dojo Cho of the Konjaku Kioi Toyama Ryu Dojo. His ranks include Godan, Renshi in the Zen Nihon Toyama Ryu Iaido Renmei, Godan, Shibucho in the US Federation of Battodo, and Yondan in the Seizankai Dojo of Machida, Japan.

Sang Kim

Sang Kim Sensei started practicing Kendo when we was 12 years old, and began his study of Toyama Ryu at 18 years old. He is the youngest to hold his rank in the Zen Nihon Toyama Ryu Iaido Renmei and has had great success at tournaments in Japan and the US.

Kim Sensei is the current president of the US Federation of Battodo. His ranks include Rokudan, Renshi in the Zen Nihon Toyama Ryu Iaido Renmei, Rokudan in the US Federation of Battodo, Yondan in the Seizankai Dojo of Machida, Japan, and Nidan in Kendo.

Masaki Kurihara

Masaki "Marky" Kurihara is Assistant Chief Instructor of the Genbukan Dojo in White Plains, NY. He holds the rank of Yondan in the Zen Nihon Toyama Ryu Iaido Renmei, Sandan in the US Federation of Battodo, Sandan in the Zen Nihon Batto Do Renmei, Shodan in the Seizankai Dojo, and Nidan with All United States Kendo Federation.

Carl Long

Carl E. Long is the current chairman and So-Shihan of the Kokusai Nippon Budo Kai. He is responsible for the instruction and certification of KNBK instructors and dojos throughout North America, Central America, South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe.

His interest in martial arts began early as a teenager, and he started his karate training in 1968. He achieved ranks in several martial arts before predominantly focusing his attention on iaido (or iaijutsu). He is the senior-most and highest-ranked student of Shimabukuro Masayuki Hanshi, and was appointed as the KNBK designated successor by Hanshi Shimabukuro. He has been unanimously confirmed as the rightful heir of this MJER line of succession by the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai Kenshoin Budo committee, the DNBK Board of Directors and DNBK Sosai — Prince Higashi Fushimi Jiko of Kyoto Japan.

Long Sensei is presently ranked Hachidan in Shorin Ryu Karate, Hachidan in Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaijutsu, Hachidan in DNBK Iaido, Rokudan in Shito Ryu Karate, Godan in Okinawa Kobudo, and Nanadan in Jojutsu.

Paul Manogue

Paul Manogue Sensei has been studying the martial arts since 1981. He has studied Korean and Japanese Karate, Western foil and saber fencing, and Western boxing. While living in Japan, he began studying Yoshinkan Aikido, but eventually switched to the Osaka Buikukai, a branch of the Aikikai. Manogue Sensei studied Edo Yagyu Shin Kage Ryu directly under the current soke and also trained in Tennen Rishin Ryu, Niten Ichi Ryu, Shindo Muso Ryu Jo, Bujinkan Ninpo, and Tai Chi.

After returning to the United States in 1994, he continued Aikido practice and began teaching Yagyu Shin Kage Ryu. Manogue Sensei continues to explore other martial arts as well, including Jun Fan Gung Fu, Kali, Silat, Machado Jiujitsu, Muy Thai and Capoeira.

Phil Ortiz

Shihandai for the New York Budokai — originally founded by Yoshitero Otani Sensei — Phil Ortiz Sensei has studied martial arts for over 50 years. His studies began with Master Visitation in the practice of Vijitsu when he was 15 years old. He began to study Iaido under Yoshitero Otani Sensei in 1972, continuing until Otani Sensei's death in 2004. During this period there were many visiting teachers from Japan, including Terutaka Kawabata Sensei instructing in Jigen Ryu and Takeshi Mitsuzuka Sensei in Muso Shinden Ryu and Jodo.

Throughout all of his years of studying Budo, he has made frequent trips to Japan to refine his skills. Concurrently with his Iaido practice and study, Ortiz Sensei began a comprehensive study of Kyudo in 1975. Ortiz Sensei holds the rank of Shichidan in Muso Shinden Ryu and Rokudan, Shihandai in Ryushin Shouchi Ryu under Yahagi Sensei.

Currently, Ortiz Sensei teaches Iaido as senior instructor of the New York Budokai, which is the American representative of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu. In addition, under the guidance of Rick Beal, he is the senior instructor of the New York Dokokai, which is the represented style of Zen archery in New York.