New York Budokai








In Memoriam: Yoshiteru "Raymond" Otani 1929-2004

Otani Sensei at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden Sakura Matsuri, 1998 (Photo by Stan Chin).

Otani Sensei (left) and a friend take in the sights at the Empire State Building, shortly after arriving in New York (1950's).
Judo days. Otani sensei, probably at the McBurney YMCA, 1960's. All photos are courtesy of Mrs. Michi Otani and New York Budokai. Photo credits are given where known.

The dojo, probably early 1970's.

Otani sensei working at a forge in Japan, date unknown.
The fate of the swords he worked on is also, unfortunately, unknown.

Sensei meeting actor Toshiro Mifune, 1973 (photo by Tyrone Dukes).

Otani sensei performing Tenshinsho Jigen ryu kata, probably 1970's or early 1980's. (Photo by Harold Gordon.)

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