Growth

As Taekwondo has grown in popularity, the effectiveness of pattern training in increasing technical prowess or in fulfilling some philosophical or teaching purpose has been questioned. Since pattern movements and techniques seem to be geared to the abilities of the lower ranked students, they are boring to perform and many students do not want to do them. As other cultures practice Taekwondo and impose their values upon it, Taekwondo has changed to accommodate them, such as developing into more of a sport. These changes have and will affect the traditional practice of patterns.

Proposed Pattern Changes

Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo, was the first to incorporate patterns into modern martial art training in 1882. His Judo patterns integrated technical expertise with an understanding of Judo’s historical significance. One pattern, Randori-no-kata, defines and preserves the competition aspects of Judo that distinguish it from other martial arts. It has two parts: Nage-no-kata, which uses throwing and sacrifice techniques in increasing degrees of difficulty; and Katame-no-Kata, which uses mat work, arm-bar, and choking techniques. Each pattern is organized into a highly formalized, stylized ritual that demonstrates techniques and stresses Judo’s oriental foundations, while still being aesthetically pleasing and entertaining. Judo patterns have continued to evolve as its popularity has spread.

Judo has patterns that demonstrate all aspects of the martial art, such as Ju-no-kata, which demonstrates fundamental movements; Kime-no-kata, which demonstrates kicking and punching techniques that are not permitted in competition Judo; Koshiki-no-kata that preserves ancient Jujitsu technical skills that are not found in the competition Judo, and a highly unusual, philosophical pattern, Itsutsu-no-kata, which seeks to identify natural movements that describe the fundamental theory of Judo without using combative movements. So, even as Judo as evolved, the official Kata of Kodokan Judo provides a core of technical skills and philosophical expression that contain the fundamentals of competition Judo and a framework for the study Judo as a martial art. No other martial art has such a well-defined expression of itself through its patterns.

Judo illustrates how well-designed patterns can express both technical skills and the historical and cultural identity of the art and set standards for the art. However, Taekwondo authorities continue to think that “Through practicing Taekwondo poomse, we can apply the techniques of hand and foot and the changes of stance learned from the basic techniques adaptable to actual fighting” [World Taekwondo Federation Taekwondo Handbook (Seoul: 1992) p. 35].This belief that patterns are merely tools to aid in sparring training is probably not defensible. A better approach would be to use patterns to convey technical skills and the historical and cultural aspects of Taekwondo as is accomplished by Judo patterns.

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