Kabai-te (庇い手) literally translates as defending hand. When the two wrestlers fall together, the wrestler on the lower side is referred to as shini-tai, or dead body, meaning that he is the loser even if he doesn't touch the ground first. In this case, if injury is foreseen, the wrestler on the upper side is allowed to support his weight by sticking out a hand on the ground (kabai-te) prior to the shini-tai wrestler touching the ground first. Although the wrestler on top touches first, he is still declared the winner.
Notable Moments[]
January 1972 Tournament, Day 8: sekiwake Takanohana vs yokozuna Kitanofuji. Kitanofuji goes for a leg trip and Takanohana lifts Kitanofuji up as they both fall down. Since Kitanofuji is on top of Takanohana, he places a hand down, before Takanohana's body touches the dohyo to prevent injury. The gyoji gave the match to Takanohana, but a mono-ii was called and they overruled the decision, stating that the rule kabai-te is applied in this situation. Kitanofuji wins by abisetaoshi.
May 1993 Tournament, Day 15: sekiwake Wakanohana vs ozeki Konishiki. Konishiki goes for a kotenage (arm lock throw), but this match was essential for a guaranteed promotion to ozeki for Wakanohana. In the middle of being thrown he reluctantly refuses to put his hand down. Konishiki doesn't want to fall or cause injury to Wakanohana, so he places his hand first. Wakanohana ends up with no injuries and a minor cut, but the gyoji still awards Konishiki with the win.
July 2004 Tournament, Day 8: maegashira 2 Kotonowaka vs yokozuna Asashoryu. This match was a controversial moment, because kabai-te should have been applied to the outcome of the match, but it wasn't. Kotonowaka goes for an outer-arm throw (uwatenage), and throws Asashoryu. Asashoryu grabs onto Kotonowaka. His body technically didn't touch the dohyo, but shini-tai (dead body) should have been applied. Kotonowaka puts his arm down first, so he wouldn't crush Asashoryu. A mono-ii was called and a torinaoshi (redo) was ordered. Asashoryu ended up winning by kirikaeshi (twisting backward knee trip).
