Tangoubukan senior member Mayo Arai-Kennedy and Martin Nobida gave an Atarashii Naginata demonstration at California State University, Fresno's Japan Culture Festival in Fresno, California. The two performed shikake-oji, a Zen Nihon Kata performance, and a bout of jigeiko.

Although CSU Fresno is located 150 miles from the Tangoubukan dojo in San Jose, Arai-Kennedy lives in Fresno and was asked to do a demonstration for the festival. Nobida volunteered to assist her.

Many attendees, Japanese and American alike, said prior to the demonstration, they had not had chance to see a Naginata performance, even on television. So it was a good opportunity for us to bring awareness to the wider community about the martial art. At least one student mentioned she was transferring next semester to San Jose State University and might be interested in taking up the art when she comes up.

Tangoubukan members will be doing their part in the coming months to spread the art even further.

Dojo members will be conducting an introductory workshop for members of the Kamishin dojo in Vacaville on April 16 and April 17.

They will also perform a demonstration at the Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival on April 23.

This year members will also participate in a Naginata workshop at the Clockwork Alchemy festival in San Jose on May 28 through May 30.

A group of members will participate in the US Naginata Federation's annual Taikai from July 8 to July 10, as well.