Arm Drag X Te Makura / Downward Kuzushi Back-Take Entry

In a classic arm drag, Tori takes Uke’s wrist in Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dōri, pulls it across toward his other hand to move to the outside, and then secures the elbow or tricep from the inside and below, continuing the pull to reach Uke’s back. In this standard form, Uke’s arm is drawn along a primarily linear path.
Te Makura (“hand-pillow”) is a Daitō-ryū Aikijūjutsu technique that applies a Shihō Nage–type arm torque while directing Uke’s elbow straight downward to bring him to the ground.
Here, Tori combines the mechanics of the arm drag and Te Makura. Instead of the previous grip, he takes Uke’s wrist and hand in Ai Hanmi Katate Dōri, and places his other hand on the outside of Uke’s elbow, with the thumb positioned along the inner elbow fold. He then applies the Te Makura mechanics—using the Shihō Nage arm torque together with a downward drop at the level of Uke’s elbow—to move around to Uke’s back.
This creates a vertical component to the movement rather than a purely linear one, unbalancing Uke both downward and forward. As a result, Tori not only reaches Uke’s back but also breaks his posture more effectively, gaining a stronger positional advantage. If Uke is not defending effectively, this entry can allow Tori to transition directly into a rear naked choke (Hadaka Jime).