April 17, at pm. April 27, at pm. Should I explain it to my sensei or is it ok if we keep using it like that? July 28, at pm. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your webpage?
My blog site is in the very same niche as yours and my users would definitely benefit from some of the information you present here. Please let me know if this ok with you. A Black Belt at June 24, at pm. Osu you nerd. BTW, thanks. I had searched years ago for this sort of information and could find nothing. Thomas Kilian.
Hi Jesse, Thanks very much for this article. So can I assume that you mean Japanese women? A black belt at Words only mean what they mean in that context. Around our dojo and crowd, OSU means hello and "I'm one of you" or " you are one of us". Thanks for telling us about what this word means elsewhere. Of course, they'd probably not even recognize the word the way we pronounce it.
I'm from Germany so I used OSS as this is the common spelling here and it's pronounced more like Ous as you mentioned somewhere else. I and probably most people in out dojo used it the way like in the theories described above 1 "Yes, Sir sensei!
What I was not aware is the fact that it looks like all these terms sound the same but have a different origin. Anyhow, I'd like to know whether Jesse's "don't use it with women" aims to women in general or Japanese women.
July 29, at am. Great article. Though I dont pracrice Karate, I do practice kendo here in Japan. I think the Ohayougozaimasu theory is a big one. Most verbs and sentences end in a masu or desu sound that comes out as an elongated s. I've practiced at a lot of japanese dojo and university clubs and I usually only here people say osu, or asu, 'su in the university dojo.
Some adult males use it but only with their old buddies. And never women. The students take something like arigatougozaimasu and make it asu or azas, and Otsukare sama deshita becomes otsukare'su Since I practice a lot, I once made the mistake of replying to a female friend of mine with osu instead of onegaeshimasu, it's like saying yeh instead of certainly miss. So I think folks should be mindful that the word they are saying has an unclear origin, as well as a possible meaning in japanes, a language with a lot of layers.
July 29, at pm. I don't believe that people should be responsible for the hidden historical overtones of a word. Example: "Goodbye" - I believe that it derived from "God be with you. As an atheist, should I avoid the term and take umbrage when my well-meaning friends mark by departure with a well-intentioned: "Goodbye"? I don't think so. But, as a contrasting example which illustrates another point.
There are terms in our language which convey current significant biases and these should be avoided at all costs. For instance, "boy" used the wrong way. And terms like, "run like a girl" or you "hit like a girl. Jesse, Thanks for the incredibly well researched historical and cultural insight into the term and of course, in some places in the world, be careful of its use.
But for those of us who have enormously enjoyed and benefited from training in American karate schools, derivative of foreign martial art schools, I don't think we need to shoulder any social responsibility for minor affectation of using a few foreign terms. I would like, as long as some of you are willing to engage in a nerdy discussion of the implications of language and hidden overtones, like to raise the question of throwing around the word "McDojo.
Aren't you being a lot more overtly "judgy" in the use of that term than the innocuous "Osu"? Great article I became tired of this term many years ago, and have remained silent since. It is a crude attempt of instructors and students to sound "Japanese" I guess. Kind of goes along with calling people "hanshi, shihan, kyoshi", etc, but that is another topic Andrea Harkins.
August 1, at pm. Well, to each his own. Whatever your school promotes, your Sensei wants you to say, or you feel compelled to say as a form of true thanks or appreciation is just about o.
Like anything, many practitioners have diverted from traditional arts and words into a more current Westernized version. I can think of a lot worse things to say than "OSU! Thanks for the research. I absolutely always learn something great here!
August 13, at pm. I already made my comment on this one elsewhere, but am itching to comment again. People still seem to not understand the meaning of OSU.
Let's ask some questions here, "Who's to say that it is right or wrong to use it? As a matter a fact it is a part of official IKO dojo etiquette. Obviously Masutatsu Oyama made it official and his followers continue the tradition. Is someone here saying that Kyokushin or Shotokan karate is a Mcdojo art?
I sure hope not. Thanks to Funakoshi Gichin and later other masters from Okinawa, we now can enjoy the "Modern Karate" as we know it, perhaps watered down a little bit, but nevertheless a beautiful art. Let's NOT forget the true meaning and essence of "Budo" which is "Perfection of character of it's participants" We fight against one enemy - "our self" and Mcdojos :- of course and OSU is a good reminder of it.
The meaning of OSU is "Oshi Shinobu" Endure under pressure so as long as it is correctly understood, there is nothing wrong with using it. It is a reminder to oneself to push through and never give up. It has a very deep meaning to those who understand it.
Let's not disrespect here those karatekas who's OSU is a part of their style's school tradition. There's a time and place for everything. But of course OSU as anything else for that matter is being misunderstood and widely abused, especially by Mcdojos and Martial Art's wannabies. I constantly remind and educate my students about it's meaning. Rob T. Not my real name. February 4, at am. I know this comment is 3 years old, but I just came onto this page today and read it - and I'm sure many others will be recent and future readers too, so I'm going to go ahead and reply anyway.
You do realize that actual Japanese people use "Hai" all the time. It's part of their language, like "OK" or "Alright" is in English. It's the most natural, and actually quite respectful. On the contrary, "Osu" is highly irregular in regular polite Japanese conversation. As a native Japanese speaker, I never use it. Also because I'm a woman. It just doesn't make sense if I use it. I'll explain more in detail below.
Keeping it strictly in the dojo is fine, but outside of the dojo, it's not something to just throw around. You might as well be calling everyone you meet on the street and your boss and a client a "bro" and going, "Heyyyy Hey, it's still in English, and an American band totally said it's right. But then be prepared to get a lot of strange looks if you just randomly start saying "Whoop Whooop!
November 15, at pm. Thank you for sharing simle truth. More than a year later when i read this post November , you brought the words back into perspective without "McDojo" jibes. Japan has given us much, much more than karate; hosted so many nations including the Rugby World Cup - thank you! Thank you for sharing a simple truth. More than a year after you replied, i read this post November , and you brought perspective without "McDojo" jibes.
Japan has given us much, much more than karate; hosted so many nations including the Rugby World Cup - Arigato. Joe Ward. September 14, at pm. Not sure why it took so long to enter into the conversation. What I did notice was that the term was mainly used by senior dans when greeting their juniors.
September 16, at am. After uttering the sacred word "OSU", for a number of years, I decided that because of how we over used it, I would just stop saying it until such time as I felt it could be reintroduced into my dojo conversations. It is now more than 30 years since I last used the sacred word and still counting. Maybe someday, when the time is right, I will again say "OSU". September 17, at am. I agree and tend to use hai as a response never as a kiai.
My Shotokan Sensei i do Shotokan and Shito-Ryu is a fan of osu and will respond sparingly to appease him but also use mostly hai in his dojo as well. I have been fortunate to attend some of Fumio Demera's workshops in the past. Due to his health issues he did a speaking seminar for us last time about the benefits of karate. He got onto the topic of osu and said in nice words that the use of it was rather low brow.
There is definitely a rough element of Japanese practitioners who use the word. He said that the use of hai was 'classier'. That sort of substantiated what I thought to be the reason for hai being used in some of the dojo's in Japan. I admit to being probably a pain to my Sensei's though as I always ask about these things and don't like to do things blindly without knowing what the reason is for it.
September 18, at pm. Excellent explanations. I tend to prefer nodding especially if I have a mouth guard in. I hope they don't mind that I just prefer to be the shut up and train variety of person. Michael Magee. October 12, at am. Thank You! I came looking for this and got what I needed.
But I will still say Osu! Coming from a Kyokushin school with 17 years of training and a Nidan, I will say that "Osu" first is a sign of respect. We bow onto the mat tatami and we bow to the Shihan or Sensei. We use it to show respect to our Masters and Elders. Yes, we do mean "I understand", and "Do you understand". But first is respect. October 13, at pm. It is a senseless term that really has no meaning, other than the meanings applied to it by overly conditioned karate students and instructors.
I mean really? Does it make us feel like we belong to an exclusive club or fraternity? Why not use terms that are actually from a dictionary?
I am not criticizing those who use it October 23, at pm. Hello to all Karate nerds an Jesse-san Great article And I think that this lesson should be one of the first to be taught in a dojo, otherwise we'll never be able to improve the future karate-kas and that is our duty as karate nerds I've always answered my Sensei with Oss..
But now I see that is a lot of different meanings and the best choice is to for sure do what your Sensei expects meaning respect but knowing that this is not the best answer So, we're still on the old OSS topic? Here is my third contribution to this conversation: Many years ago, a Japanese Judoka who had visited the karate class I was teaching.
After observing our use of the word or term OSS, he informed me that this was not considered polite in mainstream Japan , and that it was never considered a word, and he mentioned that it was a method of response among the military of Japan during war years between soldiers or navy men and their commanding officers. October 24, at am. In that respect it's one valid use to bow against your sensei telling him that you understood and will give your best.
Not much different to what the full-contacters express their kick-ass attitude ;-. November 15, at am. I've only used this term when first greeting a martial artist whose spirit I respect, usually with a small head nod. Recently, I listened to an instruction on youtube and it was used as a catch-all are you with me, boys? In our style Hapkido any noises are made as an exercise of ki Qi. Many schools today yell hai, but they're only using their voice box.
In a true practitioner you can hear the G utterance of ki. Said in the company of recognized practitioners, it is both a proclamation and recognition of shared respect. Dave G. December 15, at pm. I didn't think so.
Rank applies within an organization. Status applies within the mind. There are ways to say that a well-spoken person should be conscious of the effect of their words, without descending into a pecking order mentality. To say it sounds a bit rough and martial for the family room is probably enough. Sean Fitzpatrick. January 7, at am. Osu was ubiquitous in my Kyokushin days January 11, at am. I might get to meet our Soke, Iwao Tamotsu this year, so I'm glad to have read this article before that.
January 12, at am. Actually there is nothing wrong with using ossu, in the culture martial arts, especially where it is the norm. As an analogy, people might stand up and shout various things at a football match which would be inappropriate at a ballet. Ossu is fine, in Karate and Judo and Yoshinkan Aikido dojos. A masonic handshake might be lost on a girl scout. Personally, I'm 30 years in Japan, and in three martial arts. In one, Ossu is encouraged in our dojo, like a secret code.
In another, Ossu is never used but I do But and this post is in reply to JayRay , it isn't a universal greeting as much as it is a statement of affirmation. It passes for a greeting in some dojo cultures but more polite would be to say, if off the mat, "Hello, sensei" or if in the morning, "ohayogozaimasu sensei" or first time on the mat, "yoroshiku onegaishimasu sensei".
These are greetings. On the other hand when being corrected or instructed, especially in martial arts, ossu is appropriate, unless you are at a dojo where nobody ever says it, ever, and even then it is probably fine. The non-martial way to say "yes", "understood" would be "hai". However, please know that in some situations, in some teacher-student or sempai-kohai martial arts hierarchies, "hai" can sound flippant.
I say CAN, not definitely, and certainly dependent on the disposition of your sempai. The reason is that many less than disciplined folk say "hai" without thought and without meaning to comply or without gratitude.
Well, it isn't uncommon. Slight intonations, if you were to draw out the "hai" as "haaaaai" or use a falling tone, could even make you sound rebellious and cheeky.
There is a lot in tonality. And never ever say, "hai, hai", that is like saying "yeah, yeah" as in "I've heard it all, whatever! If you want to sound elegant and mindful, practice saying ossu at a normal volume. Which would be pitched so your sensei can hear, but not people in the next room. Don't shout the O sound or exaggerate the u sound. This "o" from deep within and the breathiness of the ss imply kokyu, which is breath and suggests pause which implies a moment of respect and enlightenment, and I think that is one of the fundamental appeals of ossu.
I took some time to answer you because I thought you asked a good question. Ossu ;. January 18, at pm. Thank you, Dave G, for your extensive input. Very much appreciated. So is this article mainly telling me not to use the word outside the dojo? Our dojo Shorinji-ryu Renshinkan doesn't teach the use of "Osu", but there's at least one black belt who does it when bowing to his training partner.
I tend to reply accordingly. I learned the word from another dojo Kimura-style Shukokai , where we would use "osu" to express gratitude or acknowledgement, rather than "hai". Again, thank you for the linguistics as well. I don't actively study Japanese, but in my understanding, saying "hai" sharply and with an ascending intonation signifies a respectful and brisk attitude.
I have kind of imagined the deep 'O' in "osu" to be a bit like the exhaling technique in Goju-ryu's Sanchin breathing. Did I catch your drift right? Marc Dacey. I can confirm that "OSS-u" is used in Yoshinkai Aikido here in Toronto, primarily in bowing in and bowing out from seiza, and primarily when Sensei Kimeda is on the mat.
Also, the way of saying it, with a strong "ossss" and then trailing off the breath, is very much how I recall it. Interesting linguistic points, however. I have some basic Japanese, learned from a female teacher, and didn't grasp for some time that there is a "male" Japanese and a "female" Japanese, with subtle differences that, if not understood and used, send odd messages! January 17, at am. Jesse, Thank you for your interesting research, commentary, and deductions, which has shed some light on what is probably the early etymological roots of the term OSU.
And I think I can solve some of the mystery Due to my parents divorce, I got to fly back and forth a bit during those years, and no one that I trained with in California ever used it, ever, but ALL of my friends back in NYC used it back. I always get a kick today when some UFC guy in California uses it today. Rita Masini. January 19, at am. Great article, Jesse-san! Thank you! He once explained to us that this greeting was one to only be used in exceptional cases During our bow in and out, there was silence.
During class, after any instruction, it was silence or Hai. This Sensei was so influential in our club that his students were recognized by this way I had the privilege of training this summer in Japan with many accomplished Senseis, including Kagawa Sensei in Tokyo. To my delight, I did not feel the need to say OSS at any time, and did not really hear it all that much. I look forward to being able to visit and train in Okinawa sometime soon.
Thanks again for a great article. Luv your stuff. Jay it certainly can be used as a greeting, as well as an affirmation, among those in that clique.
I think you are correct in responding in kind to those who use it as a greeting to you. Frankly I use it with all sorts of people on the telephone, with male and female customer service people, but then again as part of an overall fluency, I don't use it as my primary "yes", but rather when there is a sequence of polite wrapping up statements, as happens, and all the arigatos and other pleasantries have been exchanged, and I want to give the other party the last word, and show appreciation, and respect, and be a little creative, I might give a gently weighted "ossu" to show that this has all been received with gratitude.
About the breathing and the Ossu sound, I don't want to theorize but breathing is something that we should be conscious of and you certainly should try to become aware of it and its relationship to movement and speech. So kudos if you are making those kinds of connections.
There is a theological concept of Otodama, and the power of sound, which is certainly revered in the martial arts tradition. These days, especially, when speech patterns come off of television programs and cartoons and are mimicked in masse, the art of modulating one's speech has become a lost art in the US, Japan and everywhere else.
This subject we are talking about, Ossu, is a part of that larger aesthetic, above all we need to be mindful of not only the words we choose, but how we pitch them, tonality, dynamics, rhythm, and what impression we are making.
It's one more facet of the budo spirit, and becomes one more benefit of martial arts training and familiarization with foreign languages. Words and sounds, when you hear them again and again in different contexts, begin to take on a living meaning for better or worse, you develop a personal relationship with each sound.
For me Ossu has come to mean the controlled breath of self discipline and moderation, and an affirmative quality, the "ssu" much like the "ssu" in Yessu January 20, at pm.
Here's what I think, based on my experience with Yoshinkan Aikido: hai - affirmative, understood - not used any longer in class osu - respect, understood, agreement, effort, strength; seems better than "hai" kiai - attacking sound ichi, ni, san The "O" prefix signifies respect in Japanese, and gives a strong start to the sound, while the "su" suggests strength, effort, and powerful breathing.
It is a good general affirmative word for the dojo, when conversation and argument is not be encouraged during class. I don't feel that it is disrespectful at all, quite the opposite it signifies strong agreement and cooperation.
There is a martial feel to it, similar to "yes sir", which is fully appropriate in a martial arts class. Kiai is different from "hai", it is a loud attacking shout used to unbalance your opponent and focus your energy. Counting the steps of a technique helps everyone in the dojo to stay in sync. If the dojo is crowded it's important to stay in sync for safety, especially when doing throws. If we don't stay in sync the class will look chaotic, it will be confusing for students the sensei and observers.
If we stay in sync, we can sometimes improve our technique by observing other students out of the corner of our eyes! Finally, the very limited set of words allowed will keep students focused on learning rather than conversation. The sensei can correct your technique without you having to ask a question, and can answer questions after the class. Conversation during class is be distracting.
I'm not sure where Bruce Lee's disconcerting sound effects fit in to all this! Paul Botha. January 30, at pm. Nice summary, Jesse. I've never seen or heard ossu used by a Japanese either giving or receiving instruction in any Shotokan class, although its very common in general classes in South Africa, where its often pronounced with the same sound as "goose" or 'use" in English. I did once hear Kanazawa sensei say once it after a seminar, sounded like "hoss" to the whole of our group in attendance, and I got the distinct impression he was being accommodating of our local tendency and going with the flow.
I suspect that when Japanese do use it in Shotokan schools its a case of when in Rome do as the Romans do. I recall standing by an elevator in a Tokyo hotel waiting for a buddy, wearing my karate association windbreaker top, when an entire Japanese high school baseball team filed past in the lobby, and each one smiled some tipped their caps and most said "oss. Thomas Schumann.
March 6, at pm. Hi Jesse, ossu is also used to say Hi or Hello. What could be used instead in this case? Thx, and os April 30, at pm. Thank you for this article. As a Japanese American martial artist, I hear this from time to time, and I've wondered what its meaning is to the martial arts community. If "OSU" has evolved past the traditional Japanese meaning to mean something awesome and good, then that's great.
That is also how I have noticed it being used across styles and federations ind Denmark, and even by visiting japanese instructors acroos styles. Ive noticed it used similar in Sweden, and by germans as well. When I went to Japan last year, I also noticed that it is sometimes being used by the japanese as well, but usually by the younger, while the more experienced karate-ka's mostly do "hai". After a trip to Japan, we have tried going more the "hai" way in our dojo, but I think its a long way from changeing, especially as the japanese have started using it more, Europeans have a tendency to copy, or adapt to what the japanese do, at least in my experience.
Bow in "onegai-shimas" Bow out "arigato gozaimas" After sensei tells us something "hai sensei". Daniel Christoffel. Jesse-san, this is a good article. A Rivera. I used to used it. My last Okinawa Sensei told me with his eyes not to say anymore. This is very interesting and informative. Strange enough what I read here. Jesse-San thanks for the article and thanks for all comments, but my experience my first day in a dojo was and I still train and compete is that Oss is used as a sign of respect.
Actually we say it when bowing at the beginning and at the end, or when Sensei instruct or comment on something. This is what we have been tought in Italy by our Japanese masters. So to me and all the people I know is used like "yes sir", "yes master" or the like or as a sign of respect with students or other peer level.
Whenever there is Rei to show. I feel odd thinking I might have misused it for these "few years" both as a student as well as a teacher. I'm going to ask our Japanese Sensei. Thanks for bringing it up to my attention, though. Kim Nilsson. May 24, at pm. In Sweden, with SKA following JKA, I'm pretty sure everyone uses oss as the go-to response to sensei's instructions, and as greeting when entering and exiting the dojo.
I know we all did. Also when greeting the sensei, when bowing after the short sit-down meditation, before class. If I remember correctly, there was either a standing or sitting bow after class too. Embarrassingly, I have to admit that it's been twenty years since I practiced last. Those of you who have been around long enough could remember that he came from the US and was one of "founders" of karate in Sweden in the 70s.? Roy Paul. May 27, at am. He liked to use Osu, a lot.
We never use it, but we do use Hai, and onegaishimasu! Sorry we couldn't link up when you were in Canada, Jesse-san. Wishing you well. Glenn Irvine. June 12, at am. We have always been a "Hai" Dojo Okinawan origins. I noticed that a lot of University Dojos tend to use "Osu" And we have always been "When in Rome" when at a Dojo that uses it. Michael Cimino-Hurt. June 13, at am.
Both said "It is a little rude. Richard Overill. July 19, at am. Nice post except the point of not using it to Japanese, of higher rank, etc.. During my Kyokushin experience in Japan, OSU is 'always' used as a prefix to address a sempai senior for any concern from asking questions to addressing personal matters. Usualy in the matter of: Osu, shitsure shimasu excuse me It is always used as acknowledgment after receiving instructions. Keep training! July 20, at pm. July 23, at pm.
August 13, at am. What does a clumsy karateka say? What does a karateka from Maine say? Mark Cramer. September 5, at am. OSS means 'Endure and suppress yourself. Often I ask people if they know what they are saying. It is an abbreviation of Oshi Shinobu. September 6, at pm.
Cool article! I can tell you that the "Osss Ossssu comes flying from all directions as people hurry to and fro in the morning, trying to get into their appointed places on-time, and likely sparing themselves a few syllables in the process.
I buy-in to the shortened ohayo gozaimasu theory. To greet : Osu can be used to greet and acknowledge someone in an obedient way. This is done at the beginning and the end of the lesson. To respond : Osu can be used as a response. It is a common practice in many Dojos. You can do this at a tournament, or even at practice. It can also be said at the beginning of a match. You can also respond with it when the referee asks if you are ready for the fight and if your name is Victor Sweet in Four Brothers you should not attempt to fight Bobby Mercer, but this is another topic.
Osu can be used as a sign to show respect to your elderly in a Dojo. On the contrary, it is perceived as the exact opposite in Japan. Usually, Osu is used as a means of response or affirmation. It is also better than using Osu in the wrong context and finding yourself in a mess! Kyokushin Karate Training is rigorous and difficult.
It requires patience, hard work, determination to form a firm mind, body, and spirit. Sometimes, one feels like giving up, or running low on the determination. The Kyokushin Philosophy teaches us to hold ourselves, and stay strong while being pushed.
Osu is a salient word in Kyokushin because it spreads out the message of tolerance, persistence, and positivity. I will resist the temptation to make a full analysis of the usage of the Japanese language. Please note that, in Japanese, the u at the end of the word is silent and it is not necessarily pronounced at all. The Japanese actually do always pronounce it, but for a quarter beat.
It depends both on the accent of the Japanese in question and the Japanese pronunciation rules. When someone uses it, should follow the appropriate usage conventions, which will prevent from osu-alholism, and will allow every karate club to continue to use the term in a more accurate imitation of Japanese karate culture.
It is used toward other people, not toward an empty room when you bow. Women who use the word are few, to include female karateka or athletic teams. And of course I have heard it being used on board Japanese warships in the above mentioned way. Importantly Japanese always use polite speech when addressing outward, away from their in-group and plain speech toward the in-group. Those rules are pretty simple, but there are quite a few of them.
Not toward strangers also. Using it inappropriately is not a crime against humanity, however it should be used in a full understanding of its meaning and essence and must not be thrown or spoken lightly.
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