other-martial-arts
Kotenage
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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. The clearest cue is that the trapped forearm and elbow become the lever for the throw. Kotenage uses an outside arm wrap without the belt; Sukuinage turns an inside arm upward beneath the armpit. The practical English gloss “Arm-lock 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 | 小手投げ |
|---|---|
| Reading | こてなげ |
| Group | Throwing techniques (投げ手) |
| English guide | Arm-lock throw |
| Official no. | 10 |
What happens
The result is recorded when the attacker wraps an opponent’s inside arm from the outside, presses it down, and throws without a mawashi grip.
How to spot it
Watch the decisive action, then confirm the result and the closest alternative.
- Action the trapped forearm and elbow become the lever for the throw.
- Result the attacker wraps an opponent’s inside arm from the outside, presses it down, and throws without a mawashi grip.
- Compare Kotenage uses an outside arm wrap without the belt; Sukuinage turns an inside arm upward beneath the armpit.
Similar techniques
Kotenage uses an outside arm wrap without the belt; Sukuinage turns an inside arm upward beneath the armpit. The related pages Sukuinage and Uwatedashinage offer useful visual comparisons.
Name
Kotenage is written 小手投げ and read こてなげ. It belongs to Throwing techniques (投げ手); “Arm-lock throw” is a practical English guide, not an official translation.
Context
Kotenage can emerge directly from the tachiai, after a prolonged exchange, or as a counter when posture and footing change. Left-right orientation, wrestler size, and camera angle can alter its appearance without changing the classification.
Statistics
The Japan Sumo Association table consulted on 12 September 2026 counted 3,165 Kotenage results, 1.7% of 190,450 bouts from January 2013 through the final day of the July 2026 tournament, and listed the technique 13th in that bounded dataset. This is a dated sample, not a timeless probability; check the association’s live page for later totals.
Sources
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