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About Us<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Kendo means “the Way of the Sword”. It is a\u00a0 traditional Japanese martial art practised worldwide by men, women and children.\u00a0 Shudokan literally means, “the hall for the study of the way”. Shudokan Kendo Dojo, Cheltenham, was founded in 1971 by John A Richards Sensei, who started Kendo at the Zanshin Dojo in Bristol in 1966 under the tutelage of John Clarke Sensei.<\/p>\n

Shudokan is now run by John E Richards (4th Dan Registered Coach).\u00a0 Classes are for adults and juniors of mixed abilities who were age 15 or over on 1st September (to welcome school pupils in years 11, 12 and 13).<\/p>\n

We practice every Tuesday (19:30 to 21:30) at Cleeve School. There is an additional ‘seniors’ practice on Thursday evenings, also at Cleeve .\u00a0 More details here<\/a><\/p>\n

If you think Kendo might be for you<\/strong>, you’re welcome to come along and watch a practice, no charge. Age is no barrier, anyone can start kendo. All we ask is you contact<\/a> our Dojo Leader (John) to let him know you’re coming.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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What is Kendo<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Kendo is not purely about competing, it is a means and a way to improve yourself through the application of what are referred to as the \u2018principles of the sword\u2019.\u00a0 By practicing kendo you will gain better coordination, improved self-confidence, improved focus and concentration, fitness and self-control.\u00a0 Great for your physical and mental well being.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first video below is Kendo Explained – what Kendo is all about.\u00a0 The middle one is a very useful video produced for the Kendo Show and is well worth a watch. The last one is the men’s final from the 2024 World Kendo Championships.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>