![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Osu - “Oss”
Aug. 5th, 2005 01:28 pmThe word “OSU” of Japanese origin, has become an almost vernacular word in the world of Karate, understood and exchanged between numerous practitioners of many nationalities, not only on the occasion of everyday greetings but also in place of expression such as “Thank you”, “Glad to meet you”, “Good-bye”, "Understood” and “I understand”. It must be uttered from the lower abdomen with a properly executed bow, showing respect, sympathy and trust to the other party.
The OSU, a phonetic transcription, is in fact, written with two Chinese characters. The first character (Osae) meaning literally, “pushing”, symbolizing the fighting spirit, the importance of effort, and facing all obstacles, pushing them away, with a positive and unchanging attitude (FudoShin). The second (Shinobu) meaning literally, “suffering”, expresses the courage and spirit of perseverance; suffering pains and resisting depression with patience and without giving up, always keeping spirits high.
The Karateka must strive to possess these physical and moral qualities which enables him/her to face any ordeal. However, this “spirit of Osu” can only be maintained and developed with persistent daily effort. The key word “OSU” is used in order to encourage the karateka to make a resolution, to convey it to each other and to encourage each other along the path of Karatedo. It is used as a word of many meanings, expressing the willingness to strive against all odds, to persevere on the road to physical, mental and spiritual strength, an expression of respect of ones seniors and responsibility to ones juniors. If the spirit of karate could be summed up in one word, I believe that word would be... OSU!
Sensei Ben Pedraza, Shotokan Karate Academy, Texas
The OSU, a phonetic transcription, is in fact, written with two Chinese characters. The first character (Osae) meaning literally, “pushing”, symbolizing the fighting spirit, the importance of effort, and facing all obstacles, pushing them away, with a positive and unchanging attitude (FudoShin). The second (Shinobu) meaning literally, “suffering”, expresses the courage and spirit of perseverance; suffering pains and resisting depression with patience and without giving up, always keeping spirits high.
The Karateka must strive to possess these physical and moral qualities which enables him/her to face any ordeal. However, this “spirit of Osu” can only be maintained and developed with persistent daily effort. The key word “OSU” is used in order to encourage the karateka to make a resolution, to convey it to each other and to encourage each other along the path of Karatedo. It is used as a word of many meanings, expressing the willingness to strive against all odds, to persevere on the road to physical, mental and spiritual strength, an expression of respect of ones seniors and responsibility to ones juniors. If the spirit of karate could be summed up in one word, I believe that word would be... OSU!
Sensei Ben Pedraza, Shotokan Karate Academy, Texas
