Osu!

[Gyakuto]

A whole book on this subject?

 

[isshinryuronin]

It's a word we can do without! It's generally a slang term. There are other words to properly convey "osu's" perceived various meanings that avoid using it improperly/gratuitously. I've never used it, nor ever heard any knowledgeable karateka use it and have gotten along just fine. I think the term has mostly just been hijacked by Westerners to feel more Oriental.

 

[Gyakuto]

It’s uncouth

 

[Same Trick]

onegaishimasu

 

[Fungus]

It's a word we can do without! It's generally a slang term. There are other words to properly convey "osu's" perceived various meanings that avoid using it improperly/gratuitously. I've never used it, nor ever heard any knowledgeable karateka use it and have gotten along just fine. I think the term has mostly just been hijacked by Westerners to feel more Oriental.

In kyokushin this is the formal universal word we use to positively confirm or greet each other or instructors, in a way that express respect, dedication and endurance, it's not slang for something else, it is part of kyokushin tradition. (how one feels about different traditions in general is a separate topic though)

I am not aware that this is a universal word in all karate styles though, I always thought it was mainly tied to kyokushin or perhaps related styles?

But write a whole book about it?

 

[Fungus]

A whole book on this subject?

a bit over the top.

 

[Prince_Alarming]

In kyokushin this is the formal universal word we use to positively confirm or greet each other or instructors, in a way that express respect, dedication and endurance, it's not slang for something else, it is part of kyokushin tradition. (how one feels about different traditions in general is a separate topic though)

I am not aware that this is a universal word in all karate styles though, I always thought it was mainly tied to kyokushin or perhaps related styles?

But write a whole book about it?

No, it's used in other styles of karate as well. At least it used to be. When I was a teenager every 5 minutes you'd hear somebody going OSU, these days it's going out of fashion. Largely because it was widely abused as a slang word to mean everything from 'that's cool' to 'hello'.

 

[Gyakuto]

In kyokushin this is the formal universal word we use to positively confirm or greet each other or instructors, in a way that express respect, dedication and endurance, it's not slang for something else, it is part of kyokushin tradition. (how one feels about different traditions in general is a separate topic though)

It’s like comendeering the expression “HELL YEAH!” and claiming the above! It’s a display of machismo…a grunt and as I’ve suggested uncouth, especially if used outside the dojo.

Just say “Yes” (Hai) “I gratefully understand/oh I see, thank you” (naruhodo), “Thank you” (arigatō or better still the classical Japanese ‘katajikanai’ if you want to be poncy )

I am not aware that this is a universal word in all karate styles though, I always thought it was mainly tied to kyokushin or perhaps related styles?

It’s pretty ubiquitous in some Karate styles although I never heard it used in Wado Ryu dojo.

But write a whole book about it?

I’ve actually ordered that book to try and understand it’s use and possible origins.

 

[Tony Dismukes]

It’s actually pretty widespread (although not universal) in BJJ too for some reason.

 

[Gyakuto]

It’s actually pretty widespread (although not universal) in BJJ too for some reason.

Is might be Portuguese for “HELL YEAH”!

 

[Tony Dismukes]

Is might be Portuguese for “HELL YEAH”!

That tracks.

 

[skribs]

It’s actually pretty widespread (although not universal) in BJJ too for some reason.

Two of the three words in that acronym are Japanese, not surprising a bit of Japanese snuck in.

 

[Same Trick]

Osu/oss is (very)short for onegaishimasu.
onegaishimasu I learned when I was in Okinawa, when one entering the dojo onegaishimasu hold the meaning of a respectful request for entering with the purpose of training

 

[Gyakuto]

Osu/oss is (very)short for onegaishimasu.
onegaishimasu I learned when I was in Okinawa, when one entering the dojo onegaishimasu hold the meaning of a respectful request for entering with the purpose of training

It’s thought to be a severe contraction of ‘ohyo gozaimasu’ or good morning.

Onegashimasu is hard to translate into English but it sort of means ‘please do me a favour’ or ‘please look kindly upon me’.

Yorishiku onegaishimasu sort of means ‘My apologies, but please help me in future undecided times when you'll have to help me’

 

[EJC]

It’s like comendeering the expression “HELL YEAH!” and claiming the above! It’s a display of machismo…a grunt and as I’ve suggested uncouth, especially if used outside the dojo.

It's my understanding that the use of it first started in the Japanese military and was then adopted into the new and burgeoning style of Kyokushin.

 

[Same Trick]

It’s thought to be a severe contraction of ‘ohyo gozaimasu’ or good morning.

Onegashimasu is hard to translate into English but it sort of means ‘please do me a favour’ or ‘please look kindly upon me’.

Yorishiku onegaishimasu sort of means ‘My apologies, but please help me in future undecided times when you'll have to help me’

Yes, in Okinawa onegaishimasu was/(is) said/directed more toward the teacher of the dojo when entering, as asking the favor to be taught. I trained in a goju-ryu dojo, but I guess onegaishimasu is standard at most dojos in Okinawa

 

[Fungus]

Osu/oss is (very)short for onegaishimasu.
onegaishimasu I learned when I was in Okinawa, when one entering the dojo onegaishimasu hold the meaning of a respectful request for entering with the purpose of training

I am not Japanese, but what I have learned is that within Kyokushin style, the osu we are told to use is short for "osu no seishin" meaning to be pushed and endure. The terms ive heard for osu are Oshi Shinobu. Oshi means "push" and "shinobu" means "endure". This is what our shihans say.

Heres what Jesse the karate nerd lists several theories!

The Meaning of "OSS" / "OSU" (+ When You Should NEVER Say It)

Imagine… If there was a magical word that could be used for nearly anything. Wouldn’t that be AWESOME? Well, for many martial artists there is such a word! I’m talking about “Osu!” (pronounced “Oss!”) In a lot of Karate schools, and even some BJJ / MMA gyms, the term “Osu!” seems to mean...

www.karatebyjesse.com

So maybe a book is required after all, I will await Gyakuto's summary and analysis!

 

[Gyakuto]

Babymetal can get away with using it

 

[Same Trick]

I am not Japanese, but what I have learned is that within Kyokushin style, the osu we are told to use is short for "osu no seishin" meaning to be pushed and endure. The terms ive heard for osu are Oshi Shinobu. Oshi means "push" and "shinobu" means "endure". This is what our shihans say.

Heres what Jesse the karate nerd lists several theories!

The Meaning of "OSS" / "OSU" (+ When You Should NEVER Say It)

Imagine… If there was a magical word that could be used for nearly anything. Wouldn’t that be AWESOME? Well, for many martial artists there is such a word! I’m talking about “Osu!” (pronounced “Oss!”) In a lot of Karate schools, and even some BJJ / MMA gyms, the term “Osu!” seems to mean...

www.karatebyjesse.com

So maybe a book is required after all, I will await Gyakuto's summary and analysis!

Yes, I actually picked up that karate nerd article just now before coming here, and was going to link to it.
Always turn to the karate nerd place when looking up on karate stuff

 

[isshinryuronin]

It's a word we can do without! It's generally a slang term. There are other words to properly convey "osu's" perceived various meanings that avoid using it improperly/gratuitously. I've never used it, nor ever heard any knowledgeable karateka use it and have gotten along just fine. I think the term has mostly just been hijacked by Westerners to feel more Oriental.

t’s like comendeering the expression “HELL YEAH!” and claiming the above! It’s a display of machismo…a grunt and as I’ve suggested uncouth, especially if used outside the dojo.

it was widely abused as a slang word to mean everything from 'that's cool' to 'hello'.

All the above illustrate the general feeling most of the "proper" TMA community concerning its use. It's an appropriation of a slang term (perhaps OK to use in informal speech under very limited circumstances).

In kyokushin this is the formal universal word we use to positively confirm or greet each other or instructors, in a way that express respect, dedication and endurance, it's not slang for something else, it is part of kyokushin tradition.

There are a number of words and expressions that particular cultures have appropriated, putting their own slant on the original meaning, giving it a new "bunkai" so to speak. While I don't care for this practice, the fact is Kyoshukin has done this and made it part of its lexicon.

The fact that they put a meaning to it conveying admirable qualities within their Kyokushin world is a saving grace. I may not like it but accept it on this basis. But it should not be expected for other TMA cultures to follow suit.