Nage-no-kata

Nage-no-kata (Japanese: 投の形; "forms of throwing") is one of the two randori-no-kata (乱取りの形; free practice forms) of Kodokan Judo. It is intended as an illustration of the various concepts of nage-waza (投げ技; throwing techniques) that exist in judo, and is used both as a training method and as a demonstration of understanding.

History

The nage-no-kata was developed by Jigoro Kano as a method of illustrating principles of throwing to allow students to more effectively apply them in randori. Initially the kata consisted of ten techniques. These were subsequently appended with the addition of a further five throws, including kata guruma and uki otoshi.

Description

The kata is composed of 3 techniques each from the five classifications of throw in judo:

Te-waza (手技; hand techniques)

Koshi-waza (腰技; hip techniques)

Ashi-waza (足技; foot techniques)

Ma-sutemi-waza (真捨身技; rear sacrifice techniques)

Yoko-sutemi-waza (橫捨身技; side sacrifice techniques)

Each of these 15 techniques is performed twice in the specified order, both right and left handed. The kata is generally performed in a strictly formalised manner with clearly defined Reigi sahō (礼儀作法; rules of etiquette).

Aisatsu (挨拶; Salutation)

Tori (取り; the executor of the techniques in the kata) and Uke (受け, the receiver) approach the mat from opposite sides, with Tori on the left hand of the Joseki (上座; high point of the dojo) and Uke on the right (i.e. as they would be if facing towards the Joseki). They bow as they step on the mat, then turn to face the Joseki and execute a ritsu rei (立礼; standing bow), then turn to face each other and execute a zarei (座礼; kneeling bow).