Stephen Marriott, the organiser and long-time member of our sports community, would like to share a few updates about Yamakai Karate in Bedford. The club, which focuses on the Shind Jinen-Ry style of karate developed by Yasuhiro Konishi Soke since 1933, aims to teach both the physical and moral disciplines of this martial art.
Founded in November 2002 as the Silsoe Karate Club by Sue Sylvester and Stephen Marriott, the club rebranded to Yamakai Karate Club in October 2004. Post the split from TASK, the club affiliated with SKIF and follows the teachings of Hirokazu Kanazawa Kancho, 10th Dan. The name “Yamakai,” featuring a mountain symbol, reflects this connection.
In 2015, the club further strengthened its credentials by affiliating with JKR-UK. Stephen, one of the original founders, has since moved to Dubai, UAE. There, he has plans to affiliate his new dojo with JKR, ensuring consistency in quality and training. In his absence, Simon Oliver Sensei capably leads the Yamakai dojo in Bedford, offering classes every Monday evening.
Yamakai Karate is actively involved in the karate community, participating in various events and seminars. In August 2023, Stephen represented the UAE at the 9th World Budosai in Okinawa, organised by the Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation (TOGKF). It’s been a time of reflection as well, with the recent passing of Kaicho Kiyoshi Yamazaki, a notable figure in the Japan Karate Do Ryobu-Kai International Yudanshakai.
Stephen also highlights the school's diverse range of training opportunities, including recent online workshops like “The Three Amigos Present Principles of Application” with John Johnston Sensei, Simon Oliver Sensei, and Steve Lowe Sensei sharing their expertise.
For those interested in joining or enquiring further, Yamakai Karate offers several contact options. Stephen Marriott assures the community that with experienced instructors and strong affiliations, Yamakai Karate remains a premier choice for anyone looking to master the art of karate.