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)