Sumiotoshi (hand technique)

Sumiotoshi is accomplished by Tori stepping his left foot (or right foot) beside Uke's right foot (or left foot). Using his body movement and both hands Tori puts Uke off balance to his right backward (or left backward). Then, Tori pushes Uke up and throws down or similar to this type of techniques.

(Type 1) While Tori is pulling, Uke's left foot goes forward to put him off balance to his right backward, Tori, then, pushes Uke up and throws down (Sumiotoshi)

Tori and Uke hold each other in the right handed natural posture. By taking left, right steps forward, Tori puts Uke off balance to his left backward, then, stops. As Tori pushes, Uke steps back his right, left foot and stops. He, then, pushes to try to regain his orginal position. At this time, Tori's second step, which would be his right foot, is placed in front of Uke's right foot (this position enables Tori to step in quickly and faster). Tori takes a right defensive posture and presses Uke down with both hands. When Uke pushes Tori back, Tori decreases the pressure of his right hand causing Uke's left foot to step forward to push. At this time, Tori changes his right hand grip from Uke's left collar to the middle of his left sleeve. Along with Uke's push, Tori pulls Uke's right hand to bring Uke's left foot forward. A moment before Uke places his foot on the mat, Tori pulls his right hand in a circular motion to push Uke's elbow up. Then, Tori takes a big step with his left foot to the outside of Uke's right foot (at the same time as Uke's left step forward). Tori brings back his right foot close behind his left foot to take a left defensive posture. With Tori's right hand pushing up and the left hand pulling down, Uke is unable to put his weight on his left foot, causing his weight to lean heavily on his right heel. He, then, loses his balance to his right backward. Tori puts his weight to his left foot, bends his upper body, pushes up his right hand and pulls his left hand straight down, and throws Uke's body to his right backward in one motion.

Uke falls backward in a big circular motion with his heel as the pivot point.

The key point of this technique is Uke's inability to put his weight on his left foot and his weight shifting heavily to his right foot, causing him to lose his balance. To accomplish this, Tori needs well coordinated body movement and work of both hands.

Techniques of practical applications

Tori grips Uke's left front collar with his right hand to make Uke off balance (Sumiotoshi). The timing of the execution of the technique, the work of both hands and body movement (Tsukuri) and (Kake) are same as type 1, but the difference is, Tori make Uke off balance to his right backward while gripping Uke's left front collar with Tori's right hand. To compare this technique to type 1, it is less effective in breaking Uke's balance to his right backward but Tori using his right hand in a pull and push movement in good timing is able to push Uke down sharply.

(Type 2) By using Uke's attempted throw to push Uke down (Sumiotoshi)

1. At the time of Uke's execution of left Sasaetsurikomiashi, push Uke down (Sumiotoshi).

Tori & Uke hold each other in right natural posture. Uke steps back to pull Tori. The moment Tori steps his right foot forward, Uke executes left Sasaetsurikomiashi. Tori perceiving Uke's attempt as Uke stands on his right leg, moves his right foot close to his left foot to support his body firmly as he steps in his left foot close to the outside of Uke's right leg to become a defensive posture. Then, Tori lifts his right hand (while gripping Uke's left collar) and pulls his left hand down to put Uke off balance to his right backward. Tori throw down Uke as explained in type 1. The key point of this technique is Tori must perceive Uke's move, such as Uke's execution of Sasaetsurikomiashi (standing on right foot and left foot is off of the ground). Therefore, timing is very important. The following can be similarly changed to Sumiotoshi: All throw that start with Uke standing on one leg, such as Hizaguruma (foot technique), Haraitsurikomiashi (foot technique).

2. Dodging Uke's Uchimata (foot technique) by stepping behind Uke's body and executing Sumiotoshi.

When Tori steps back his right foot, Uke executes right Uchimata by swinging up his right leg. Tori jumps in with his left foot far behind Uke's supporting left leg and he twists his body to the right and steps back his right foot toward his left heel to dodge. Uke's right leg floats in the air and loses his balance since his weight moved to the outside of his left foot. While Uke's body is off balance, Tori throws Uke straight down with both hand. Sometimes, Tori covers Uke with his body to throw down.

When Uke uses the following techniques, Tori is able to dodge and execute Sumiotoshi.

Hanegoshi (hip technique), Haraigoshi (hip technique), Seoinage (hand technique) Tsurikomigoshi (hip technique). When Uke tries to execute any technique, but loses his balance for some reason, Tori can throw Uke down backwards. This is still considered as Sumiotoshi. When Tori quickly twist his body and uses his left foot (or leg) to sweep (or hook) Uke's left supporting leg, it is called Uchimatagaeshi. When Tori twists his body to his right (opposite movement of Sumiotoshi) and dodge Uke's right Uchimata to throw, it is called Uchimatasukashi.

(Type 3) Difference between Sumiotoshi & Ukiotoshi

These two techniques are mentioned in Ukiotoshi section as Kukinage. Both uses only hands to throw down. They are similar but we will compare the slight differences.

Sumiotoshi: Make Uke's body off balance to his right backward (Uke's right heel) and throw down in the direction of Uke's right heel.

Ukiotoshi: Make Uke's body off balance to his right forward (Uke's right toe) and pull down or push down to throw in the direction of Uke's right toe.

It is easy to understand the difference between these two techniques since the direction of putting off balance and throwing is opposite.