Technique atlas

Pins

The first four principles, from ikkyō to yonkyō: controlling uke’s arm all the way to the mat, without violence and without leaving an opening.

Ikkyō
Nikyō
Sankyō
Yonkyō

Plate 01

Ikkyō

一教

First principle

Also called Ude-osae

Control of the elbow and wrist: uke’s arm is brought to the mat and pinned extended.

Attack Shōmen-uchi 正面打ち

一 Uke strikes shōmen-uchi; tori enters and meets the arm.
二 Wrist and elbow in hand, tori sends the arm back to uke’s centre.
三 Tori advances: uke is guided down to the mat.
四 Ikkyō: arm extended on the mat, held at wrist and elbow.

Plate 02

Nikyō

二教

Second principle

Also called Kote-mawashi

The wrist is folded inward; the pressure brings uke down.

Attack Shōmen-uchi 正面打ち

一 Uke strikes shōmen-uchi; tori enters and meets the arm.
二 Nikyō: uke’s wrist is folded against tori’s shoulder.
三 Under the lock, uke sinks to the mat.
四 The pin: uke’s arm held flat against tori’s chest.

Plate 03

Sankyō

三教

Third principle

Also called Kote-hineri

A spiral twist of the wrist that travels up to the shoulder.

Attack Shōmen-uchi 正面打ち

一 Uke strikes shōmen-uchi; tori enters and meets the arm.
二 Sankyō: uke’s hand is twisted in a spiral; uke rises onto the toes.
三 Tori cuts downward, keeping the twist.
四 The pin: arm raised vertically, twist maintained.

Plate 04

Yonkyō

四教

Fourth principle

Also called Tekubi-osae

Precise pressure on the forearm, holding the arm like a sword.

Attack Shōmen-uchi 正面打ち

一 Uke strikes shōmen-uchi; tori enters and meets the arm.
二 Yonkyō: both hands on the forearm, as if holding a sword.
三 Tori cuts down: the pressure is on the nerve of the forearm.
四 The pin: pressure from the base of the index finger on the forearm.