other-martial-arts
Kubihineri
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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. The clearest cue is that neck wrapping and arm control oppose each other to create the turn. Kubihineri combines a neck wrap with control of the inside arm; Kubinage instead throws with the neck and hip relationship. The practical English gloss “Neck-and-arm twist-down” 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 | 首捻り |
|---|---|
| Reading | くびひねり |
| Group | Twist-down techniques (捻り手) |
| English guide | Neck-and-arm twist-down |
| Official no. | 62 |
What happens
The result is recorded when one arm wraps the opponent’s neck while the other hand controls an inside arm, and the two controls twist the opponent down.
How to spot it
Watch the decisive action, then confirm the result and the closest alternative.
- Action neck wrapping and arm control oppose each other to create the turn.
- Result one arm wraps the opponent’s neck while the other hand controls an inside arm, and the two controls twist the opponent down.
- Compare Kubihineri combines a neck wrap with control of the inside arm; Kubinage instead throws with the neck and hip relationship.
Similar techniques
Kubihineri combines a neck wrap with control of the inside arm; Kubinage instead throws with the neck and hip relationship. The related pages Kotehineri and Amiuchi offer useful visual comparisons.
Name
Kubihineri is written 首捻り and read くびひねり. It belongs to Twist-down techniques (捻り手); “Neck-and-arm twist-down” is a practical English guide, not an official translation.
Context
Kubihineri 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 45 Kubihineri results, 0.02% of 190,450 bouts from January 2013 through the final day of the July 2026 tournament, and listed the technique 50th 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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