noun
wooden joint; wood joinery
Architectural term for a joint connecting wooden parts without nails.
この建物には伝統的な組み手が使われている。
Traditional wooden joints are used in this building.
noun
kumite; sparring; paired sparring kata
In karate, a form of sparring or pre-arranged partner drills.
空手の稽古で組み手を行う。
We practice kumite in karate training.
noun
yotsu-gumi clinch; mutual grappling hold
Sumo term for a clinch where both wrestlers grip each other's belts.
両力士が組み手でがっぷりと組んだ。
Both wrestlers locked into a mutual grappling hold.
noun
Only when written 組み手
In judo, a grip or hold on the opponent's uniform. Restricted to the 組み手 spelling.
柔道では組み手の攻防が重要だ。
In judo, the battle for grips is crucial.
noun
underhand pass with clasped hands (volleyball)
Volleyball technique where the hands are clasped together to receive the ball.
バレーボールの初心者はまず組み手を覚える。
Volleyball beginners first learn the underhand pass with clasped hands.
noun
grappler; wrestler; braider
Archaic senses: a person who wrestles or a person who braids cord. Not used in modern Japanese.
古文書には「組み手」を職業とする者が記されている。
Old documents record people whose occupation was 'kumite' (grappler or braider).
Verb meaning 'to assemble' or 'to grapple'; 組み手 is a noun derived from it, referring to the act or result of joining or grappling.
Compound of 組み (kumi, 'joining' or 'grappling', from verb 組む) + 手 (te, 'hand'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has specialized in various fields involving joining or hand-to-hand techniques.