other-martial-arts
Sukuinage
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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. The clearest cue is that the lifting inside arm, not a belt grip, supplies the decisive leverage. Shitatenage also works from the inside, but it is defined by an underarm mawashi grip; Kotenage wraps the opponent’s arm from outside. The practical English gloss “Beltless scooping 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 | 掬い投げ |
|---|---|
| Reading | すくいなげ |
| Group | Throwing techniques (投げ手) |
| English guide | Beltless scooping throw |
| Official no. | 11 |
What happens
The result is recorded when without holding the mawashi, an inside arm turns upward beneath the opponent’s armpit to scoop and throw.
How to spot it
Watch the decisive action, then confirm the result and the closest alternative.
- Action the lifting inside arm, not a belt grip, supplies the decisive leverage.
- Result without holding the mawashi, an inside arm turns upward beneath the opponent’s armpit to scoop and throw.
- Compare Shitatenage also works from the inside, but it is defined by an underarm mawashi grip; Kotenage wraps the opponent’s arm from outside.
Similar techniques
Shitatenage also works from the inside, but it is defined by an underarm mawashi grip; Kotenage wraps the opponent’s arm from outside. The related pages Uwatedashinage and Shitatedashinage offer useful visual comparisons.
Name
Sukuinage is written 掬い投げ and read すくいなげ. It belongs to Throwing techniques (投げ手); “Beltless scooping throw” is a practical English guide, not an official translation.
Context
Sukuinage 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 3,976 Sukuinage results, 2.1% of 190,450 bouts from January 2013 through the final day of the July 2026 tournament, and listed the technique 12th 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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