Yama Arashi
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Yama Arashi·Seiryoku Zenyo
Mark Gilston, 4th degree judo black belt and 2nd degree BJJ black belt demonstrates and discusses uses for an unusual ve…
Yama Arashi
SubFamily山嵐(Yama Arashi)
TraditionalTranslation: mountain storm
Overview
Yama Arashi (mountain storm) is a powerful te-waza technique in which the thrower secures a deep lapel grip, often gripping over the shoulder or at the neck, turns in, and drives the opponent forward and over while dropping the body to amplify the throwing force. [1] The technique generates tremendous rotational force through the combination of the deep grip, explosive turning action, and the thrower's body-weight commitment. [1],[2] Yama-arashi is classified as a te-waza despite its sacrifice-like body drop because the primary throwing mechanism is the arm and grip action rather than the body fall itself. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Yama arashi is one of judo's most historically significant techniques, closely associated with Shiro Saigo, who reportedly used it to defeat much larger opponents in the famous 1886 Tokyo Metropolitan Police tournament that established the Kodokan's supremacy. [1] The technique's dramatic name ('mountain storm') reflects the overwhelming power of its execution. [2],[3] Modern historians debate whether Saigo's technique was truly yama-arashi or another throw, but the technique's legendary status in judo lore is firmly established. [3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
Yama arashi is rarely seen in modern IJF competition but holds historical significance in judo's development. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Pulling and lifting with the arms to load the opponent over the shoulder or upper back
Joints Involved — Attacker's shoulders (loading point), elbows (pulling action), hips (turning under the opponent)
Force Vector — Forward and downward rotation — the pulling arm creates circular momentum while the body turns underneath
Kuzushi (Off-balancing) — Forward — breaking the opponent's balance forward over their toes allows the turning entry
Position & Entry
From collar and sleeve grip — Pull the opponent forward and up, turn in while dropping below their centre of gravity, load them onto the back/shoulder and rotate forward to throw
From sleeve grip (ippon seoi) — Secure the sleeve, step across, load the arm over the shoulder while turning, pull and throw
From underhook — Turn in with the underhook side, load the opponent over the shoulder and drive forward
Videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Sacrifice version adds tori's falling body weight to arm throw mechanics
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
— no leg attacks below waist
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDFLegal
— IJF — Legal throwing technique
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— Unified MMA — Legal throwing technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Yama arashi (mountain storm) combines a sacrifice fall with a powerful arm lock throw, pulling the opponent over as you fall
✓Grip the opponent's lapel deeply and their sleeve, then drive into them with a turning entry
✓Fall forward or to the side while pulling the opponent over your body using the deep grip and arm action
✓The throw derives its name from the devastating, crashing nature of the technique — it generates enormous force
✓Yama arashi is historically significant: it was the technique used by Shiro Saigo in early Kodokan challenge matches
✓The deep lapel grip and arm action create a whirlwind-like rotation that carries the opponent over
✓This throw works when the opponent is bracing hard against forward throws — the sacrifice bypasses their resistance
Common Mistakes
!Not committing to the sacrifice fall — yama arashi requires full commitment to the falling entry
!Losing the deep lapel grip during the fall — the grip is the anchor of the entire throw
!Falling straight down instead of falling while rotating — the rotation is what throws the opponent
!Not pulling the opponent over with enough force during the sacrifice
!Attempting yama arashi from too far away — close body contact is essential before the fall
!Falling and pulling the opponent on top of you instead of past you
!Not practising the specific falling pattern — yama arashi has a unique falling trajectory that must be drilled
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) — establish the controlling grips needed for the throw
2Off-Balance (Kuzushi) — break the opponent's balance in the throwing direction
3Entry (Tsukuri) — position the body for the throw by turning, stepping, or loading
4Execution (Kake) — complete the throwing action with full commitment and follow-through
5Fall (Sutemi) — commit body weight to the ground to generate throwing force
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
1BookKodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
Traditional Judo throwing technique terminology (Kodokan Institute)
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationKodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
Traditional Judo throwing technique terminology (Kodokan Institute)
Community
Athletics
Requires
explosive turning speed, arm pulling power, deep level change
Favours
shorter stature for getting under the opponent, strong back
Key muscles
deltoids, trapezius, quadriceps, core
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
What grip should I use for Yama Arashi?
According to Seiryoku Zenyo's approach, use a sleeve grip and come in with just above your elbow, between your elbow and your wrist, pushing away and then down rather than using a one-sided grip.
How should I position my leg when executing Yama Arashi?
Keep your leg strong with your toe pointed up to the ceiling rather than pointed forward, and pivot when you throw to generate power.
What's the difference between the classic Yama Arashi and a more subtle approach?
Seiryoku Zenyo teaches a more subtle, 'old man style' version of the throw that differs from the usually seen classic technique, emphasizing the sleeve grip and elbow placement over the standard method.
How does the Yama Arashi work?
Yama Arashi (mountain storm) is a powerful te-waza technique in which the thrower secures a deep lapel grip, often gripping over the shoulder or at the neck, turns in, and drives the opponent forward and over while dropping the body to amplify the throwing force. The technique generates tremendous rotational force through the combination of the deep grip, explosive turning action, and the thrower's body-weight commitment.
Where does the Yama Arashi come from?
Yama arashi is one of judo's most historically significant techniques, closely associated with Shiro Saigo, who reportedly used it to defeat much larger opponents in the famous 1886 Tokyo Metropolitan Police tournament that established the Kodokan's supremacy. The technique's dramatic name ('mountain storm') reflects the overwhelming power of its execution.
Is the Yama Arashi legal in competition?
IJF: legal — Legal throwing technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; UWW: restricted — Legal in freestyle, banned in Greco-Roman (no leg attacks below waist); Unified MMA: legal — Legal throwing technique; ADCC: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Yama Arashi?
Danger rating 6/10. High — sacrifice version adds tori's falling body weight to arm throw mechanics
How do I set up the Yama Arashi?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake) → Fall (Sutemi).
How do I defend against the Yama Arashi?
Standard counters include: Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute / Grip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration / Stiff-Arm — maintain distance with straight arms to prevent the entry.
What are the variants of the Yama Arashi?
Common variants: Morote seoi nage (two-handed shoulder throw with both hands gripping); Ippon seoi nage (one-arm shoulder throw loading the arm over the shoulder); Drop seoi nage (dropping to the knees for a lower entry point); Korean-style shoulder throw (modified entry with deeper level change).
How effective is the Yama Arashi in competition?
Yama arashi is rarely seen in modern IJF competition but holds historical significance in judo's development.
What are common mistakes when doing the Yama Arashi?
Top errors to watch for: Not committing to the sacrifice fall — yama arashi requires full commitment to the falling entry / Losing the deep lapel grip during the fall — the grip is the anchor of the entire throw / Falling straight down instead of falling while rotating — the rotation is what throws the opponent / Not pulling the opponent over with enough force during the sacrifice.
What are other names for the Yama Arashi?
The Yama Arashi is also known as Mountain Storm, Mountain Storm Throw, Yama Arashi.