Pattern Development - Proposed Changes

Proposed 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.