Kata-guruma
肩車かたぐるま
- Te-waza
- Gokyō: Dai-sankyō
- Nage-no-kata
Key idea
The defining action lifts uke across the shoulders and back of the neck after controlling a leg and breaking balance forward.
Kodokan official demonstration
Kodokan technique list (opens in a new tab)YouTube (opens in a new tab)
VISUAL GUIDE
How to read the movement
The central principle of Kata-guruma is the coordinated action that lifts uke across the shoulders and back of the neck after controlling a leg and breaking balance forward.
This technique has specific competition restrictions. Practise only under qualified supervision and check the current rules before use.
- Tori
- the person applying the technique
- Uke
- the person receiving the technique
- Red line
- main direction or point of contact
AT A GLANCE
Classification representative
IN SEQUENCE
Three basic phases
- 1Create usable imbalance
- 2Enter and stay connected
- 3Complete the defining action
Original AI-generated educational illustration for TokyoWaltz, 2026. A simplified three-stage concept; practise under qualified instruction.
PLAY WHEN NEEDED
Watch the basic movement slowly
- 1Starting pointCreate usable imbalance
- 2Decisive actionEnter and stay connected
- 3CompletionComplete the defining action
1 / 3Starting point— Create usable imbalance
Follow the red line and phase indicator. The guide does not autoplay or loop.
How it works
The central principle of Kata-guruma is the coordinated action that lifts uke across the shoulders and back of the neck after controlling a leg and breaking balance forward.
Kuzushi
Create usable imbalance
Create the imbalance described by the official definition and continue it into the entry. Uke should not be able to recover stable support before the decisive action.
Tsukuri
Enter and stay connected
Enter with stable posture and continuous control. Use the official demonstration to check the required position, contact line, and direction.
Kake
Complete the defining action
Complete the defining action described in the official definition and shown in the demonstration. Maintain control through uke’s fall.
Key points
- To identify Kata-guruma, watch for the moment the hand-led control becomes decisive rather than naming the technique from the landing alone.
- The official definition centres on an action that lifts uke across the shoulders and back of the neck after controlling a leg and breaking balance forward.
- When reviewing Kata-guruma, check that balance breaking, contact and direction stay connected from entry through the controlled finish.
Similar techniques
| Technique | Japanese name | Key difference |
|---|---|---|
| Tai-otoshi | 体落 | Tai-otoshi converts front-corner instability into a forward drop across a positioned body line; Kata-guruma lifts uke across the shoulders and back of the neck after controlling a leg and breaking balance forward. |
| Sukui-nage | 掬投 | Sukui-nage scoops and lifts the lower body; Kata-guruma lifts uke across the shoulders and back of the neck after controlling a leg and breaking balance forward. |
| Seoi-otoshi | 背負落 | Seoi-otoshi draws uke forward across the back; Kata-guruma lifts uke across the shoulders and back of the neck after controlling a leg and breaking balance forward. |
Reference
Open the detailed source material when you need definitions, technical distinctions, training context, or references.
Official definition
What this technique is
Within the Kodokan list, Kata-guruma belongs to hand techniques. Its name is attached to the action that lifts uke across the shoulders and back of the neck after controlling a leg and breaking balance forward, not to every contest exchange that ends in a similar fall or final position. The official Kata-guruma demonstration is therefore the best starting point for recognizing the technique before comparing variations in timing, grip or stance.
Core principle
The central principle of Kata-guruma is the coordinated action that lifts uke across the shoulders and back of the neck after controlling a leg and breaking balance forward. In this technique, timing, balance breaking and continuous control must work together. Pause the official Kata-guruma demonstration before the decisive action and check what support remains, where contact is maintained and whether tori is lifting, reaping, blocking, rotating, wrapping or applying controlled pressure.
Detailed execution
Key recognition points
- To identify Kata-guruma, watch for the moment the hand-led control becomes decisive rather than naming the technique from the landing alone.
- The official definition centres on an action that lifts uke across the shoulders and back of the neck after controlling a leg and breaking balance forward.
- When reviewing Kata-guruma, check that balance breaking, contact and direction stay connected from entry through the controlled finish.
Distinguishing this technique
The practical identifying feature of Kata-guruma is the hand-led control: lifts uke across the shoulders and back of the neck after controlling a leg and breaking balance forward. Compare that action with neighbouring names in the same Kodokan category. If the contact point, control route or sacrifice direction changes, the result may belong under a different official name even when the landing position looks similar.
Training and safety
Training and safety
Practise only under a qualified Judo instructor with controlled entries, safe falling space and an agreed stopping procedure. The Kodokan technique name and its use in a particular competition ruleset are different questions; current IJF rules restrict direct leg-grabbing actions, so confirm the permitted application before competitive use.
Competition rules
Competition note
This Kodokan-recognised technique is not a permanent competition-status label. Under the IJF Sport and Organisation Rules dated 14 August 2026, hooking or grabbing the leg, gripping the trousers, or touching below the top of the inner thigh with the hand or arm is penalised with shido. Whether a particular variation is permitted depends on the actual contact and execution.