Kendo means "the Way of the Sword". It is a  traditional Japanese martial art practised worldwide by men, women and children.  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.

Shudokan is now run by John E Richards (4th Dan Registered Coach).  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).

We practice every Tuesday (19:30 to 21:30) at Cleeve School. There is an additional 'seniors' practice on Thursday evenings, also at Cleeve .  More details here

You're welcome to come along and watch a practice, no charge. All we ask is you contact our Dojo Leader to let him know you're coming. 

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 ‘principles of the sword’.  By practicing kendo you will gain better coordination, improved self-confidence, improved focus and concentration, fitness and self-control.  Great for your physical and mental well being.

The first video below is Kendo, the perfect ippon; a Japanese video, in English, explaining what Kendo is all about. Don't worry, we don't do tachikiri-jiai (the endurance training)!!  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.