Sankyo
三教
Literally: third teaching
Also known as: sankajo osae, kote hineri
Rotational aikido wrist lock (kote hineri) that twists both wrist and fingers, carrying spiral tension through the elbow to the shoulder.
Quick Facts
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Common mistakes: gripping too high or too low, twisting only the wrist without the forearm, and pulling the arm toward oneself instead of upward, which leaves the attacker firmly planted on his heels.
💡 Key Tip
The whole forearm must turn, not just the wrist. Once the screw is lost, the technique holds only by strength and fails on a stronger partner.
About
Sankyo (三教), literally "third teaching," is a rotational wrist lock in aikido, also known as kote hineri ("twisting of the forearm") or sankajo osae. The spiralling tension runs up through the whole arm, elbow and shoulder. Aikido Journal stresses that not only the wrist is twisted but the fingers too, and that the aim is to take the attacker off balance. Besides the basic immobilizing form there is a throw, sankyo nage, in which tori throws uke forward after applying the lock. Under the Aiki-LA club's syllabus, following Hombu Dojo, sankyo is tested from 5th kyu. We have not been able to document who introduced the technique.