Osu!

[Gyakuto]

We have to think about the culture of the Karate in general, particularly Kyokushin; it’s a tough, full-contact fighting art, favouring and fostering bigger muscular men and who’s founder used to demonstrate his strength and machismo by punching defenceless animals to death (after several attempts, I’m led to believe) and (defenceless) telegraph poles, marvelling at the ‘…way the lines shock.’ It’s ultra-macho and that was the cool image he wanted to portray. So the usual, effete ‘hai’ didn’t seem appropriate in that context but the more guttural ‘OOOOSSS’ did. It should be of no surprise that the equally macho world of BJJ has adopted it too.

While some of us, and polite Japanese society, find it uncouth and hearing it jars and makes us wince, as would farting in front of the King (), this is our issue and we’re probably being over sensitive. I find “…can I get…” rather than ‘…may I have…’ uncouth but I’m a poncy Englishman who prepares tea in a teapot and wears a smoking jacket after supper (velvet).

Leave ‘em to it.

 

[HighKick]

We have to think about the culture of the Karate in general, particularly Kyokushin; it’s a tough, full-contact fighting art, favouring and fostering bigger muscular men and who’s founder used to demonstrate his strength and machismo by punching defenceless animals to death (after several attempts, I’m led to believe) and (defenceless) telegraph poles, marvelling at the ‘…way the lines shock.’ It’s ultra-macho and that was the cool image he wanted to portray. So the usual, effete ‘hai’ didn’t seem appropriate in that context but the more guttural ‘OOOOSSS’ did. It should be of no surprise that the equally macho world of BJJ has adopted it too.

While some of us, and polite Japanese society, find it uncouth and hearing it jars and makes us wince, as would farting in front of the King (), this is our issue and we’re probably being over sensitive. I find “…can I get…” rather than ‘…may I have…’ uncouth but I’m a poncy Englishman who prepares tea in a teapot and wears a smoking jacket after supper (velvet).

Leave ‘em to it.

Your post brought back fond (well humorous) memories from 1978.
A few years before I started training, I was at an annual event in Nashville called Summer Lights. Music, shows, demonstrations the whole weekend. It was a big deal back then. I watched a demo in where my future instructor and a couple black belts were performing all sorts of MA's stuff. There was a horse reined near the event which I did notice because it was not common to see one in the city.
One of the black belts was giving a long spiel about ancient origins and how TKD was used in combat. Ground fighting against soldiers on horseback and such.
It was a surreal setting because there was no preamble to what happened next. The horse was led to the middle of the demonstration area where my (future) GM quietly walks out rares-back and kicks the horse in the neck. Hard. The horse started to bolt backwards then dropped like a rock. I later found out he knew where to hit the carotid artery and incapacitate the animal.
Several people started screaming and running away. After a several seconds, the horse got up and bolted. A foot patrol officer was close and after a short discussion with the demonstration organizers and some attendees, my GM was escorted away and was later (quietly) arrested for animal cruelty. Solemn honest true story.

I am from the southern U.S. (where the hillbilly or redneck analogies are common). When it comes to the way we speak, I like the 'form over function' comparison. We do not dress up what we have to say but instead just get to the point and keep working.

 

[Buka]

We used the os or osu all the time back in the day, it was fun, enjoyable and part of our art.

When we get together in a social setting these days, when the stories start after a few glasses of wine, the laughs and the osu utterances come out. We still enjoy it and often include it in toasts to those who are no longer with us.

 

[Gyakuto]

We used the os or osu all the time back in the day, it was fun, enjoyable and part of our art.

When we get together in a social setting these days, when the stories start after a few glasses of wine, the laughs and the osu utterances come out. We still enjoy it and often include it in toasts to those who are no longer with us.

I would expect nothing less from you, @Buka <slips on smoking jacket>

 

[Prince_Alarming]

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).

Ah, fair enough. I defer to your greater knowledge and experience, thank you.

 

[Prince_Alarming]

I would expect nothing less from you, @Buka <slips on smoking jacket>

Care for a glass of port, old chap?

 

[Fungus]

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.

I don't expect it. To be honest, I had no illusion and wasnt aware that "osu" is a generic karate term. For me it is at heart of kyokushin.

Wether you call it "macho" or mental conditioning, I love this part and consider it to be a central part. It's not about "sports" of "competition", for me it's about mind over matter. For me it's a bit like the Buddha quote "Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional”- physical pain is superficial, mental focus is solid.

I practicing mental conditioning in various forms long before I started karate, so kyokushin was a fortunate choice for me as I realize in retrospect. (not talking about Gyuakuto's Berlins clubs)

 

[wab25]

In Danzan Ryu, we are quiet when we bow in. When I started teaching, I started at a Shotokan Karate school and started training Shotokan. In their school, they said "oss!" with every bow. I was silent at first, until the sensei explained that they considered it to be disrespectful not to "Oss!!!" when you bowed. All the other Shotokan schools and other Karate schools in the area, did the same. So, I figured it was a Karate thing. When in Shotokan class or event, I said "Oss!!!" when at a Danzan Ryu class or event, I was silent.

Then, we lost our dojo (weird story there...) and found a local budokan dojo that would have us. They taught Aikido, Kendo, Toyama Ryu, Judo and a few other Japanese arts. Karate and Judo trained at the same time, on separate mats. The Judo coaches wife was Japanese and grew up in Japan. We had been there for a few months, the Karate class "Ossing!!!" each other and the other sensei's in the dojo. One day I was on my way to Karate, wearing my Karate orange belt and was passing by the Judo Coaches wife, she bowed to me so I returned the the bow with an "Oss" as was the custom for Karate. She screamed in surprise and ran to her husband shouting "He said Oss to me!" I went over to apologize, to explain that all I was doing was following the tradition of the Karate class that I was a part of and had no idea what the word really meant. She very condescendingly explained that saying "Oss" when bowing was extending a challenge to her and that it was very offensive for a young man like myself to challenge the 70 year old lady when there were other, younger stronger Judo players to challenge and even then it would be offensive. I again apologized and never said "Oss" to her again. She never did really get over that.

The reason for the story is that when you meet someone new.... maybe do not "Oss" until you understand how they interpret that. It does not matter how you interpret it.... if they interpret it to be offensive, you may have closed a door that you would have wanted open. I have gone back to silent bows for everyone.

 

[Badhabits]

When I trained Shotokan I swear we used that word so much I'd hear it in my sleep.