本袈裟固(Hon Kesa Gatame)
TraditionalTranslation: basic scarf hold
Hon Kesa Gatame is the basic scarf hold in judo — the foundational pinning technique from which all other Kesa Gatame variations derive. [1] The attacker sits beside the pinned opponent, wraps one arm around their head, grips their arm under the armpit with the other hand, and spreads the legs wide for base. [1] It is the most commonly taught hold-down in judo and the first Osae-komi-waza in the Kodokan curriculum. [1]
Classified in the Kodokan Judo syllabus. [1]
The most fundamental and commonly taught hold-down in judo. [1] In competition, maintaining Kesa Gatame for the required time (20 seconds in IJF rules) scores ippon. Frequently used in BJJ as a control position, though BJJ practitioners often transition to submissions from this position rather than holding for time. [1]
Kodokan judo lineage: Jigoro Kano (1860–1938) systematized this technique as part of the Kodokan judo curriculum. Transmitted through the Kodokan instructor system to judo federations worldwide. Adopted into BJJ through Mitsuyo Maeda → Carlos Gracie → the Gracie family lineage. [1]
Recognized Kodokan judo technique. Used in IJF World Championships and Olympic judo competition. Frequency varies by weight class and era. [1]
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Hey everyone! Welcome back to Grappling Nerds. In today's video, we're diving deep into Kesa Gatame, also known as the S…
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Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
Pinning position, no submission threat.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
[1] Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
[1] Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
hip heaviness, grip endurance, head control
core (maintaining position), forearms (grip), neck (head control)
Hon kesa gatame (basic scarf hold) is the most fundamental pinning technique in judo. The attacker controls from the side with one arm around the neck and the other controlling the arm, legs spread wide for base. It is the first pin taught in most judo curricula worldwide. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
According to Grappling Nerds, you want your legs positioned at approximately 12 o'clock and 9 o'clock, creating a 45-degree angle. This positioning gives you a stable base and prevents your opponent from bridging and rolling underneath you.
Grappling Nerds emphasizes getting your shoulder high and placing it on your opponent's chest to create a solid squeeze, then leaning in with chest compression. Without this shoulder control, your opponent can simply bridge and roll under, so maintaining this position is critical to keeping them pinned.
Grappling Nerds notes that grabbing the thigh works best if you want to position your opponent high underneath their shoulder, and this approach works in both gi and no-gi. If you're in the gi and can't get a solid grip, you can grab the fabric or tricep instead.
Hon Kesa Gatame is the basic scarf hold in judo — the foundational pinning technique from which all other Kesa Gatame variations derive. The attacker sits beside the pinned opponent, wraps one arm around their head, grips their arm under the armpit with the other hand, and spreads the legs wide for base.
Classified in the Kodokan Judo syllabus.
IJF Judo: Legal: legal — Kodokan classified technique; IBJJF: Legal {src:IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024|/sources/IBJJF: legal — Rules-v6.0-June-2024.pdf}; Unified MMA: Legal {src:Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025|/sources/Unified: legal — MMA-Rules-August-2025.pdf}; FIAS Sambo: Legal {src:FIAS International Sambo Competition Rules|/sources/FIAS: legal — Sambo-Rules.pdf}
Danger rating 2/10. Low — pinning position, no submission threat.
The standard setup chain: Throw with Osoto Gari → land in Kesa Gatame → Side control → scoop head → sit up into Hon Kesa Gatame → Scramble → catch the head and arm → secure Hon Kesa Gatame.
Standard counters include: Bridge and roll — hip escape toward the attacker's head / Create frame and shrimp — make space to recover guard / Grab attacker's belt — prevent them from switching to submission.
Common variants: Tight Kesa (keeping elbows close for maximum pressure); Loose Kesa (wider base for stability against escapes); Kesa with arm (trapping the opponent's arm for added control); Kesa to submission (transitioning to arm lock from the hold).
Recognized Kodokan judo technique. Used in IJF World Championships and Olympic judo competition.
Top errors to watch for: Sitting too upright — creates space under your body for the opponent to escape / Legs too narrow — easily rolled / Loose arm grip — opponent frees the arm and escapes / Not controlling the head — opponent turns into you and escapes.
The Hon Kesa Gatame is also known as Hon Kesa Gatame, Hon-Kesa-Gatame, Basic Scarf Hold, Honkesagatame, Standard Kesa Gatame.
