Nigiri game
握り甕
Hojo undo tool: ceramic jars filled with sand, held by the fingers at the rim of the neck. They strengthen the grip, arms, shoulders, back and legs.
Quick Facts
Term typeEquipment and training aids
LanguageJapanese
Formnoun
Pronunciation[nee-gee-ree gah-meh]
Alternative Namesjars for gripping
Readings and romanizations
Reading (kana)にぎりがめ
Hepburn romanizationnigiri game
Word breakdown
握りnigirigripping (verb nigiru)
甕gamejar, pitcher
Definition
Nigiri game (握り甕) means “jars for gripping”: nigiri is gripping, game a jar. They are ceramic wide-necked jars filled with sand to different weights. The practitioner holds them only by the fingers at the rim of the neck. They are carried in stances, most often sanchin-dachi, and lifted into various positions. They strengthen the grip and fingers, and also the arms, shoulders, back and legs. They belong to the tools of Okinawan hojo undo.