The Azuma Kotobuki Kai, a branch of Azuma Ryū School of Classical Japanese Dance in Tokyo, Japan, was established in 1968 by Azuma Sumako. The current instructor, Azuma Kikusue, teaches many traditional dances, but she also innovates by using modern music to help reach the yonsei, gosei, and younger generations. The purpose of the Azuma Kotobuki Kai is to preserve and promote Japanese culture through the art of “Nihon Buyō” or classical Japanese dance.