The Tangoubukan was founded in August 2014 to provide a venue for martial artists to study and train in  Naginata. Its name comprises the following Japanese characters: 鍛 (tan, to forge, to train), 剛 (gou, strength, indomitable), 武 (bu, martial), and 館 (kan, hall). The characters were chosen to evoke the idea of a martial arts hall where a strong spirit is forged through Naginata training. 

Its students are currently small in number, but among them are active members of the San Jose State University Kendo and Naginata Club as well as current and former members of the US national naginata team. They all have in common a passion to practice, share, and promote this little-known martial art to the general public.

The Tangoubukan is part of the Northern California Naginata Federation (NCNF), the regional arm of the US Naginata Federation (USNF). The USNF represents the United States in the International Naginata Federation (INF).

Tangoubukan
CPAA
6148 Bollinger Road
San Jose, California

Instructor

The sensei, Martin Nobida, holds a yondan (fourth degree black belt) in Naginata. He began his training in 1995 with Takako Miyagi in Okinawa, Japan. When he returned to the United States in 1999, he continued his training under the late Miyako Tanaka, hanshi. Nobida is a former national champion, as well as a member of the 2003 world champion US Naginata men's team. He currently teaches Naginata with the San Jose State University Kendo and Naginata Club. Nobida also holds a yondan in Shotokan Karate from the Shotokan Karate International Federation and has extensive experience with Okinawan Kobudo, primarily Yamanni Chinen Ryu bojutsu.