Kote-gaeshi
小手返
A wrist lock used to off-balance the opponent and subsequently throw them to the ground.
Quick Facts
CategoryConcept / Principle
Pronunciation/[koh-teh-gah-eh-shee]/
Definition
Kote-gaeshi (literally "wrist return" or "forearm reversal") is one of the best-known techniques in Aikido and Jujutsu. The defender steps off the line of attack, catches the opponent's wrist, and rotates it toward the opponent's own body. This movement creates pressure on the joint that forces the opponent to drop to their knees or flip completely onto their back to relieve the pain. In Aikido, the goal is not to break the joint but to use the resulting pressure to smoothly convert the opponent's aggressive energy into a circular fall.