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Sumo Technique Directory
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Kimarite guide
Three clues identify the finish.
A kimarite is the official name for the decisive action that ends a sumo bout.
- Official kimarite
- 82 decisive-result labels
- Official groups
- 6 ways of organising the finishes
- Other outcomes
- 5 separately recorded self-caused losses
- Statistics window
- 190,450 bouts, Jan 2013–Jul 2026
01 Six-group map
Category is a shortcut—not the evidence.
The groups make 82 labels manageable. The decisive contact and outcome still determine the individual kimarite.
基本技
Basic techniques
Direct thrusting, pushing, and close-body pressure.
投げ手
Throwing techniques
Grip position, leverage, lifting, and rotation.
掛け手
Leg techniques
Hooks, trips, sweeps, leg picks, and compound attacks.
反り手
Backward body drops
The opponent travels over or past a pronounced backward arch.
捻り手
Twist-down techniques
Asymmetric pressure, arm control, and turning break the base.
特殊技
Special techniques
Pulls, rear attacks, lifts, arm locks, and edge finishes.
02 Close comparisons
Small changes in outcome or grip change the name.
These pairs give a high-yield first set for learning how official labels separate similar-looking finishes.
Thrusts carry an upright opponent out.
The thrusting attack knocks the opponent down.
Open-hand pressure pushes an upright opponent out.
Open-hand pressure ends with the opponent down.
Close body or belt pressure carries the opponent out.
The same close driving relationship ends in a fall.
The throwing grip reaches outside and over the opponent’s arm.
The throwing grip works inside and beneath the opponent’s arm.
A downward slap or press acts on an advancing upper body.
One-sided pressure at the armpit or flank works as the attacker opens.
03 Full reference
All 82 kimarite.
Search by romanisation, Japanese writing or reading, English gloss, or meaning. Category filters and search can be combined.
Showing 82 of 82 techniques
Tsukidashi
突き出し （つきだし）
Frontal thrust-out
Tsukidashi is an official sumo kimarite in which repeated strong palm thrusts to the chest or shoulders drive the opponent out.
JSA referenceTsukitaoshi
突き倒し （つきたおし）
Frontal thrust-down
Tsukitaoshi is an official sumo kimarite in which strong palm thrusts knock the opponent down, whether the fall occurs inside or outside the ring.
JSA referenceOshidashi
押し出し （おしだし）
Frontal push-out
Oshidashi is a basic sumo push-out using open-hand pressure against the torso to send an opponent beyond the boundary.
JSA referenceOshitaoshi
押し倒し （おしたおし）
Frontal push-down
Oshitaoshi is an official sumo kimarite in which one or both hands, opened in a hazu shape, push the opponent down.
JSA referenceYorikiri
寄り切り （よりきり）
Frontal force-out
Yorikiri is a basic sumo force-out in which close body pressure drives an opponent across the dohyō boundary.
JSA referenceYoritaoshi
寄り倒し （よりたおし）
Frontal crush-out
Yoritaoshi is an official sumo kimarite in which close body pressure advances the opponent and then forces the opponent down.
JSA referenceAbisetaoshi
浴びせ倒し （あびせたおし）
Backward force-down
Abisetaoshi is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker places full body weight over an opponent who is arched backward or bent low and crushes the opponent down.
JSA referenceUwatenage
上手投げ （うわてなげ）
Overarm throw
Uwatenage is a sumo overarm throw made from an outside mawashi grip above the opponent’s inserted arm.
JSA referenceShitatenage
下手投げ （したてなげ）
Underarm throw
Shitatenage is a sumo underarm throw made from an inside mawashi grip beneath the opponent’s arm.
JSA referenceKotenage
小手投げ （こてなげ）
Arm-lock throw
Kotenage is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker wraps an opponent’s inside arm from the outside, presses it down, and throws without a mawashi grip.
JSA referenceSukuinage
掬い投げ （すくいなげ）
Beltless scooping throw
Sukuinage is an official sumo kimarite in which without holding the mawashi, an inside arm turns upward beneath the opponent’s armpit to scoop and throw.
JSA referenceUwatedashinage
上手出し投げ （うわてだしなげ）
Pulling overarm throw
Uwatedashinage is an official sumo kimarite in which an overarm mawashi grip and arm control pull the opponent forward and down as the attacker opens the body.
JSA referenceShitatedashinage
下手出し投げ （したてだしなげ）
Pulling underarm throw
Shitatedashinage is an official sumo kimarite in which an underarm mawashi grip pulls the opponent forward and down as the attacker tightens the armpit and opens the body.
JSA referenceKoshinage
腰投げ （こしなげ）
Hip throw
Koshinage is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker places the hips deeply beneath the opponent, loads the opponent onto the hip, and throws.
JSA referenceKubinage
首投げ （くびなげ）
Headlock throw
Kubinage is an official sumo kimarite in which one arm wraps the opponent’s neck while the attacker inserts the hips and twists or rolls the opponent over.
JSA referenceIpponzeoi
一本背負い （いっぽんぜおい）
One-arm shoulder throw
Ipponzeoi is an official sumo kimarite in which both hands secure one opponent arm, the attacker turns in, loads that arm and shoulder line, and throws forward.
JSA referenceNichōnage
二丁投げ （にちょうなげ）
Leg-hook lifting throw
Nichōnage is an official sumo kimarite in which from a close grip, the attacker hooks the opponent’s same-side knee from outside and lifts or sweeps both legs.
JSA referenceYaguranage
櫓投げ （やぐらなげ）
Inner-thigh lifting throw
Yaguranage is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker pulls on the mawashi, inserts a knee or thigh against the opponent’s inner thigh, lifts, and swings the opponent over.
JSA referenceKakenage
掛け投げ （かけなげ）
Inner-thigh hooking throw
Kakenage is an official sumo kimarite in which one leg hooks into the opponent’s inner thigh and springs upward as the upper body turns the opponent over.
JSA referenceTsukaminage
つかみ投げ （つかみなげ）
Lifting belt throw
Tsukaminage is an official sumo kimarite in which an outside rear mawashi grip lifts the opponent fully off the surface and throws the opponent behind the gripping side.
JSA referenceUchigake
内掛け （うちがけ）
Inside leg trip
Uchigake is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker hooks the opponent’s opposite leg from inside, pulls that leg, and drops backward.
JSA referenceSotogake
外掛け （そとがけ）
Outside leg trip
Sotogake is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker hooks the opponent’s opposite leg from outside, pulls it away, and drops backward.
JSA referenceChongake
ちょん掛け （ちょんがけ）
Heel-hook trip
Chongake is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker’s same-side toes hook the opponent’s heel from inside while the upper body arches and twists sideways or backward.
JSA referenceKirikaeshi
切り返し （きりかえし）
Knee-prop twist-down
Kirikaeshi is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker braces a knee against the outside of the opponent’s opposite knee and twists the opponent backward.
JSA referenceKawazugake
河津掛け （かわづがけ）
Entangling backward trip
Kawazugake is an official sumo kimarite in which an inside leg hook and a neck hold combine with a backward arch to carry the opponent down beneath the attacker.
JSA referenceKekaeshi
蹴返し （けかえし）
Ankle-kick counter
Kekaeshi is an official sumo kimarite in which the sole kicks the opponent’s ankle from inside to outside as the attacker opens the body and directs the upper body forward.
JSA referenceKetaguri
蹴手繰り （けたぐり）
Tachiai ankle kick-down
Ketaguri is an official sumo kimarite in which at the initial charge, the attacker opens the body, kicks a leg from inside to outside, and pulls an arm or strikes the shoulder.
JSA referenceMitokorozeme
三所攻め （みところぜめ）
Triple attack
Mitokorozeme is an official sumo kimarite in which a leg hook, a hand lifting the other leg, and head pressure against the chest attack three points at once.
JSA referenceWatashikomi
渡し込み （わたしこみ）
Thigh-grab push-down
Watashikomi is an official sumo kimarite in which one hand draws the outside of the opponent’s knee or thigh inward while the other hand pushes and the body leans through.
JSA referenceNimaigeri
二枚蹴り （にまいげり）
Ankle-kick throw
Nimaigeri is an official sumo kimarite in which after lifting the opponent, the attacker kicks the outside ankle with the opposite foot and topples the opponent toward that side.
JSA referenceKomatasukui
小股掬い （こまたすくい）
Inner-thigh scoop
Komatasukui is an official sumo kimarite in which after the opponent steps forward to resist a throw, the attacker scoops the inside of that leg and drops the opponent backward.
JSA referenceSotokomata
外小股 （そとこまた）
Outer-thigh scoop
Sotokomata is an official sumo kimarite in which following a throw or arm pull, the attacker scoops the opponent’s advanced leg from outside and takes the opponent down.
JSA referenceŌmata
大股 （おおまた）
Far-thigh scoop
Ōmata is an official sumo kimarite in which when the opponent withdraws the leg targeted by a smaller thigh scoop, the attacker reaches inside to scoop the farther leg.
JSA referenceTsumatori
褄取り （つまとり）
Toe pick
Tsumatori is an official sumo kimarite in which from the opponent’s side, the attacker catches the toes of a forward-moving foot and pulls them up and backward.
JSA referenceKozumatori
小褄取り （こづまとり）
Ankle pick
Kozumatori is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker catches the front of the opponent’s advancing ankle, lifts it, and pulls the opponent down.
JSA referenceAshitori
足取り （あしとり）
Leg pick
Ashitori is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker ducks underneath, embraces one leg with both hands, and forces or tips the opponent out or down.
JSA referenceSusotori
裾取り （すそとり）
Outside ankle pick
Susotori is an official sumo kimarite in which while resisting a throw, the attacker catches the opponent’s ankle from outside and knocks the opponent down.
JSA referenceSusoharai
裾払い （すそはらい）
Rear foot sweep
Susoharai is an official sumo kimarite in which after a pulling throw or arm pull, the attacker sweeps the opponent’s advanced leg from behind.
JSA referenceIzori
居反り （いぞり）
Backward knee-lift drop
Izori is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker lowers the hips beneath an opponent leaning forward, raises both knees with the hands, and arches backward.
JSA referenceShumokuzori
撞木反り （しゅもくぞり）
Shoulder-carry backward drop
Shumokuzori is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker enters beneath the opponent, carries the opponent across a shoulder, and arches backward.
JSA referenceKakezori
掛け反り （かけぞり）
Hooked backward drop
Kakezori is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker puts the head under an inside arm, steps deep, adds a leg hook or knee prop, and arches backward.
JSA referenceTasuki-zori
たすき反り （たすきぞり）
Arm-and-leg backward drop
Tasuki-zori is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker controls an inside arm at the elbow, ducks underneath, lifts the inner leg, and arches backward.
JSA referenceSoto-tasuki-zori
外たすき反り （そとたすきぞり）
Outer arm-and-thigh backward drop
Soto-tasuki-zori is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker controls an inside arm and reaches from above to the same-side inner thigh before arching backward.
JSA referenceTsutaezori
伝え反り （つたえぞり）
Underarm backward drop
Tsutaezori is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker slips beneath the opponent’s armpit while arching backward and carries the opponent over.
JSA referenceTsukiotoshi
突き落とし （つきおとし）
Thrust-down
Tsukiotoshi is a sumo thrust-down using one hand at the side of the torso to tip an opponent diagonally downward.
JSA referenceMakiotoshi
巻き落とし （まきおとし）
Wrapping twist-down
Makiotoshi is an official sumo kimarite in which using the opponent’s forward rebound, an inside arm wraps the torso and twists the opponent sideways without a belt grip.
JSA referenceTottari
とったり （とったり）
Arm-bar twist-down
Tottari is an official sumo kimarite in which both hands seize one opponent arm and the attacker opens the body, twisting that arm toward the attacker.
JSA referenceSakatottari
逆取ったり （さかとったり）
Counter arm-bar twist-down
Sakatottari is an official sumo kimarite in which the wrestler whose arm is caught in Tottari pulls free, turns the hips, and reverses the arm-control action.
JSA referenceKatasukashi
肩すかし （かたすかし）
Under-shoulder swing-down
Katasukashi is an official sumo kimarite in which an inside arm grips or hooks near the shoulder root and pulls forward as the attacker opens the body.
JSA referenceSotomusō
外無双 （そとむそう）
Outer knee sweep-down
Sotomusō is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker withdraws an inside hand, sweeps the outside of the opponent’s same-side knee, and twists with upper-body control.
JSA referenceUchimusō
内無双 （うちむそう）
Inner thigh sweep-down
Uchimusō is an official sumo kimarite in which a hand sweeps upward against the opponent’s inner thigh while the upper body is twisted down.
JSA referenceZubuneri
頭捻り （ずぶねり）
Head-assisted twist-down
Zubuneri is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker presses the head against the opponent’s shoulder or chest, controls an arm, and twists the opponent down.
JSA referenceUwatehineri
上手捻り （うわてひねり）
Overarm twist-down
Uwatehineri is an official sumo kimarite in which an overarm mawashi grip twists the opponent down toward the gripping side.
JSA referenceShitatehineri
下手捻り （したてひねり）
Underarm twist-down
Shitatehineri is an official sumo kimarite in which an underarm mawashi grip twists the opponent down toward the gripping side.
JSA referenceAmiuchi
網打ち （あみうち）
Fisherman’s throw
Amiuchi is an official sumo kimarite in which both hands control an inside arm as the attacker opens toward the overarm side and swings the opponent backward.
JSA referenceSabaori
鯖折り （さばおり）
Waist-crush down
Sabaori is an official sumo kimarite in which both hands pull the opponent’s waist in while the attacker bears down until the opponent’s hips or knees collapse.
JSA referenceHarimanage
波離間投げ （はりまなげ）
Over-head belt throw
Harimanage is an official sumo kimarite in which an overarm reaches over the opponent’s head to a far-side rear mawashi grip and swings the opponent down.
JSA referenceŌsakate
大逆手 （おおさかて）
Deep overarm throw
Ōsakate is an official sumo kimarite in which a very deep shoulder-over overarm grip throws the opponent toward the gripping arm without arching backward.
JSA referenceKainahineri
腕捻り （かいなひねり）
Arm twist-down
Kainahineri is an official sumo kimarite in which both hands control one opponent arm and twist it outward to take the opponent down.
JSA referenceGasshōhineri
合掌捻り （がっしょうひねり）
Clasped-hands neck twist-down
Gasshōhineri is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker clasps both hands behind the opponent’s neck or upper back and twists sideways.
JSA referenceTokkurinage
徳利投げ （とっくりなげ）
Two-handed neck twist-down
Tokkurinage is an official sumo kimarite in which both hands clamp the opponent’s neck or head from the sides and twist it down.
JSA referenceKubihineri
首捻り （くびひねり）
Neck-and-arm twist-down
Kubihineri is an official sumo kimarite in which one arm wraps the opponent’s neck while the other hand controls an inside arm, and the two controls twist the opponent down.
JSA referenceKotehineri
小手捻り （こてひねり）
Belt-assisted arm twist-down
Kotehineri is an official sumo kimarite in which one hand controls the opponent’s arm while the other holds the mawashi, twisting toward the controlled side.
JSA referenceHikiotoshi
引き落とし （ひきおとし）
Hand pull-down
Hikiotoshi is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker pulls the opponent’s arm or shoulder toward the surface, sometimes with a front mawashi grip.
JSA referenceHikkake
引っ掛け （ひっかけ）
Hooked-arm force-out or down
Hikkake is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker hooks an extended or inside arm between both hands, opens the body, and sends the opponent out or forward down.
JSA referenceHatakikomi
叩き込み （はたきこみ）
Slap-down
Hatakikomi is a sumo slap-down that redirects a low, advancing opponent toward the clay with downward hand action.
JSA referenceSokubiotoshi
素首落とし （そくびおとし）
Head or neck chop-down
Sokubiotoshi is an official sumo kimarite in which the wrist or forearm strikes down at the opponent’s neck or back of the head to cause a fall.
JSA referenceTsuridashi
吊り出し （つりだし）
Frontal lift-out
Tsuridashi is an official sumo kimarite in which from the front, the attacker pulls at both sides of the mawashi or body, lifts the opponent clear, and carries the opponent out.
JSA referenceOkuritsuridashi
送り吊り出し （おくりつりだし）
Rear lift-out
Okuritsuridashi is an official sumo kimarite in which from behind, the attacker lifts the opponent’s body clear and carries the opponent outside.
JSA referenceTsuriotoshi
吊り落とし （つりおとし）
Frontal lift-and-drop
Tsuriotoshi is an official sumo kimarite in which from the front, the attacker lifts the opponent clear and drops the opponent in place.
JSA referenceOkuritsuriotoshi
送り吊り落とし （おくりつりおとし）
Rear lift-and-drop
Okuritsuriotoshi is an official sumo kimarite in which from behind, the attacker lifts the opponent clear and drops the opponent in place.
JSA referenceOkuridashi
送り出し （おくりだし）
Rear push-out
Okuridashi is an official sumo kimarite in which after getting behind, the attacker pushes or thrusts an upright opponent out of the ring.
JSA referenceOkuritaoshi
送り倒し （おくりたおし）
Rear push-down
Okuritaoshi is an official sumo kimarite in which after getting behind, the attacker pushes or thrusts the opponent down inside or near the ring.
JSA referenceOkurinage
送り投げ （おくりなげ）
Rear throw
Okurinage is an official sumo kimarite in which from behind the opponent, the attacker executes a throw whose exact grip or throwing form is not otherwise specified.
JSA referenceOkurigake
送り掛け （おくりがけ）
Rear leg-trip
Okurigake is an official sumo kimarite in which from behind, the attacker hooks an opponent’s leg from inside or outside and topples the opponent.
JSA referenceOkurihikiotoshi
送り引き落とし （おくりひきおとし）
Rear pull-down
Okurihikiotoshi is an official sumo kimarite in which from behind, the attacker pulls the opponent toward the surface, with or without a mawashi grip.
JSA referenceWaridashi
割り出し （わりだし）
Separated-body force-out
Waridashi is an official sumo kimarite in which one hand controls an upper arm or presses in hazu while the other grips the belt or wraps an arm, forcing the opponent out with the bodies separated.
JSA referenceUtchari
打っ棄り （うっちゃり）
Edge pivot throw
Utchari is an official sumo kimarite in which at the boundary, the defender lowers the hips, arches back, loads the attacker on the abdomen, and twists the attacker out.
JSA referenceKimedashi
極め出し （きめだし）
Arm-lock force-out
Kimedashi is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker locks one or both inside arms at the elbows, shoulders, or neck and forces the opponent out.
JSA referenceKimetaoshi
極め倒し （きめたおし）
Arm-lock force-down
Kimetaoshi is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker envelops the opponent’s inside arms, tightens the joints, and swings or forces the opponent down.
JSA referenceUshiromotare
後ろもたれ （うしろもたれ）
Backward lean-out or down
Ushiromotare is an official sumo kimarite in which with the back turned, the attacker leans into an opponent behind and forces that opponent out or down.
JSA referenceYobimodoshi
呼び戻し （よびもどし）
Pulling body slam
Yobimodoshi is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker draws the opponent into the chest, uses the rebound, turns an inside arm upward, and drives the opponent forward and down.
JSA referenceNo matching technique. Try the Japanese name, a shorter English term, or reset the category filter.
04 Five other outcomes
Recorded results that are not kimarite.
These entries describe a wrestler’s own step, hand, knee, or loss of balance. Keeping them separate preserves the official boundary around the 82 techniques.
Isamiashi
勇み足（いさみあし）
The attacking wrestler steps outside before the opponent is forced out or down.
JSA referenceKoshikudake
腰砕け（こしくだけ）
A wrestler collapses or loses balance without a decisive technique by the opponent.
JSA referenceTsukite
つき手（つきて）
A hand touches the clay first without a decisive opponent technique.
JSA referenceTsukihiza
つきひざ（つきひざ）
A knee touches the clay first without a decisive opponent technique.
JSA referenceFumidashi
踏み出し（ふみだし）
A rearward or turning step crosses the boundary without a decisive opponent technique.
JSA referenceSources
- Japan Sumo Association, Eighty-Two Kimarite.
- The Japan Times, Sumo Techniques.
- Nippon.com, Exploring the Match-Winning Techniques of Sumō.
- Martial Arts journal, Technical and Tactical Arsenal of Professional Sumo Wrestlers.
The Overview’s 190,450-bout figure covers January 2013 through the final day of the July 2026 tournament, as shown in the Japan Sumo Association’s dated ranking table. Later tournaments may change the total.
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