other-martial-arts
Shitatenage
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Shitatenage is a sumo underarm throw made from an inside mawashi grip beneath the opponent’s arm. The attacker inserts the arm beneath the opponent’s arm, secures the mawashi, lowers or stabilizes the center, and creates rotation by opening the body. Uwatenage uses the opposite grip relationship: the throwing hand reaches over and outside the opponent’s arm. The practical English gloss “Underarm throw” is a viewing aid rather than an official translation. Focus on the contact that causes the final movement and on whether the opponent is forced out, falls, or is thrown. Earlier exchanges may create the opening, but the kimarite names the action that actually decides the bout.
Overview
| Japanese | 下手投げ |
|---|---|
| Reading | したてなげ |
| Group | Throwing techniques (投げ手) |
| English guide | Underarm throw |
| Official no. | 9 |
What happens
The recorded result is a throw generated from the inside underarm mawashi hold.
How to spot it
Watch the decisive action, then confirm the result and the closest alternative.
- Action the attacker inserts the arm beneath the opponent’s arm, secures the mawashi, lowers or stabilizes the center, and creates rotation by opening the body.
- Result a throw generated from the inside underarm mawashi hold.
- Compare Uwatenage uses the opposite grip relationship: the throwing hand reaches over and outside the opponent’s arm.
Similar techniques
Uwatenage uses the opposite grip relationship: the throwing hand reaches over and outside the opponent’s arm. Shitatedashinage also starts from an inside grip but draws the opponent forward and out in a distinct pulling throw. Yorikiri is recorded when sustained close pressure, not the inside-grip rotation, carries the opponent across the boundary.
Name
Shitatenage is written 下手投げ and read したてなげ. Here shitate identifies the hand inserted beneath the opponent’s arm to take an inside mawashi grip; nage means throw. The association lists it beside uwatenage within the thirteen throwing techniques, making the grip relationship explicit in the pair of names.
Context
Shitatenage may appear when the inside wrestler resists an opponent’s forward drive, turns from a mutual belt grip, or attacks during a momentary rise in the opponent’s posture. Grip depth and stance change the arc. Commentary may specify a right or left underarm throw, but both remain the single official kimarite shitatenage.
Statistics
The Japan Sumo Association table consulted on 12 September 2026 counted 4,323 shitatenage results, 2.3 percent of 190,450 bouts from January 2013 through the final day of the July 2026 tournament, ranking it tenth in the displayed dataset. This is a dated sample, not a timeless probability; check the association’s live page for later totals.
Sources
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