About Us
Meirinkan Dojo is a member of the British Kendo Association and is licensed to teach Kendo here in Bedford. The club was established to offer the local community the opportunity to learn the concepts of kendo; it’s traditional Japanese roots and the modern form it has become today.
The Dojo was set up in the summer of 2011 in central Bedford within the third bailey of the town’s castle. The name ‘Meirinkan’ can be translated into ‘Place of Shinning Virtue’, which reflects some of the key elements of kendo practice – morality, integrity, honour and dignity.
The club welcomes people from all walks of life, ages and gender. Matt Marley, 3rd Dan Kendoka is the Dojo leader and senior instructor who has practiced kendo for over 17 years and originally trained at the University of Cambridge Kendo Club (Tsurugi Bashi) before setting up Meirinkan in Bedford.