Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated. - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

Osu [押忍 (おっす)]

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)


The particular terse term when translating the characters/ideograms into English you will get, "Hi!; Yo!; Hey man!; Hey dude!; greeting used between close male friends." Then there are other characters/ideograms as follows: 

  • Osu [押す]: to push; to press; to overwhelm; to overpower; to repress, etc.
  • su [おす]: male (animal).
  • su [推す]: to recommend; to endorse (e.g. a candidate); to nominate; to infer; to conclude; to conjecture; to surmise; to think something through; to ponder deeply.
  • su [おす]: to be. 

As you can see things get a bit muddled when you don’t know things and contexts and in the dojo that is important.


First and foremost if you practice the Okinawan karate remember that “Osu!” is non-existent in traditional Karate dojos of Okinawa. 


What follows are notes, excerpts and direct quotes from a recent Black Belt magazine article of this month, i.e., July/August 2020, in the “karate Way” article by Dave Lowry. You can read it on the newsstand now. 


Osu is a term that can mean, “yes or I understand or Hoorah,” It is often, in the dojo that use it, be a way to greet one’s dojo-mate. Most would agree that “osu” is a contraction of “Ohayo gozaimasu” meaning “Good Morning.” 


Where did it originate? It is believed to be a common greeting of University Athletes and it may have come from the Japanese Navy, early 20th century before WWII. 


What many must remember is that when Americans started to return to the States post Viet Nam and possibly post WWII, they came with a lot of missing parts and pieces simply because one only remained in Japan or Okinawa for a period spanning nine to thirteen months where many spent less time there and more time in Viet Nam, etc.


This resulted in a need, as new karate teachers at home, to fill in gaps and questions that naturally come up with us humans, especially Americans, who have an instinctual need for curiosity and whalla, we have “myths and stories to explain or add meaning to contexts and conventions that evolve without a true fact-check or research for cultural meaning of Japan/Okinawa. 


Myths like, “the black belt came about as a result of a white belt becoming discolored by sweat, dirt and blood.” Because most didn’t and still don’t know the actual basis for much of what they will learn, do, train and study in the dojo, they tend to create these explanations, i.e., they cannot admit ignorance so they simply make it up. 


Mr. Lowry suggests that one use cautions when it comes to Japanese language and cultural usage of Japanese terms as what is ok and acceptable in one dojo/place may be an insult in another. If your dojo uses it, continue as that is what your dojo does and if you visit or change dojo, styles or systems then wait it out till you learn the new rules of that dojo, style and system. this will prevent embarrassment or being strongly corrected to one’s embarrassment. 


Remember, “Osu” does not always apply in different circumstances. It has no deep or secret hidden meaning and don’t misinterpret an osu spoken by a Japanese karate sensei as proof solid that it is a legitimate dojo/karate/martial art term appropriate to the wider range of circumstances and interactions you will encounter during you life span as a karate-ka or martial artist. 


If it is used in your dojo, let it be in your dojo exclusively. Don’t use it on social media, visiting other dojo and martial artist and especially in any social gathering you may participate in because public use is just ignorance and possibly insulting to the others in your immediate space. If you have doubts, always ask BEFORE you go forward and do or use anything. 


For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)

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