Welcome to AikiWeb Aikido Information
AikiWeb: The Source for Aikido Information
AikiWeb's principal purpose is to serve the Internet community as a repository and dissemination point for aikido information.

Sections
home
aikido articles
columns

Discussions
forums
aikiblogs

Databases
dojo search
seminars
image gallery
supplies
links directory

Reviews
book reviews
video reviews
dvd reviews
equip. reviews

News
submit
archive

Miscellaneous
newsletter
rss feeds
polls
about

Follow us on



Home > AikiWeb Aikido Forums
Go Back   AikiWeb Aikido Forums > Language

Hello and thank you for visiting AikiWeb, the world's most active online Aikido community! This site is home to over 22,000 aikido practitioners from around the world and covers a wide range of aikido topics including techniques, philosophy, history, humor, beginner issues, the marketplace, and more.

If you wish to join in the discussions or use the other advanced features available, you will need to register first. Registration is absolutely free and takes only a few minutes to complete so sign up today!

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 02-09-2006, 09:11 PM   #76
Josh Reyer
 
Josh Reyer's Avatar
Location: Aichi-ken, Nagoya-shi
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 644
Japan
Offline
Re: Osu!

Just an orthographical note.

"Osu" as a greeting (contracted from "Ohayossu", contracted from "Ohayou gozaimasu"), is written in hiragana おっす, and as Yawata-san suggested, can vary by region. It's like "Hiya" or "Howdy".

"Osu" as a response in the dojo is written with ateji kanji (kanji with irregular readings) 押忍. It's essentially a different word from the other (although they probably came from the origin) in use and orthography. They look the same in romanization, but they are two different words.

Josh Reyer

The lyf so short, the crafte so longe to lerne,
Th'assay so harde, so sharpe the conquerynge...
- Chaucer
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2006, 07:51 AM   #77
Ethan Weisgard
Dojo: Copenhagen Aiki Shuren Dojo
Location: Copenhagen
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 178
Denmark
Offline
Re: Osu!

I found an article on the web in Japanese some time ago that mentioned that "osu" originated in the Japanese Navy, among the new recruits. It was used, as others mentioned before, as a shortened "ohayo gozaimasu." It morphed into a general reply to orders, as well as a general greeting. It was not considered polite at that time, but it has become a general, multi-purpose greeting or reply. It has sort of a "tough-guy" ring to it in general use in Japan, as someone mentioned earlier, often used in sports clubs etc.

I believe that the use of "osu" depends on the feeling of the dojo, and the dojo-cho.

I remember way back, Inagaki Sensei from the Iwama Dojo often brought his students from a university aikido club to train at the Iwama Dojo. They all used "osu" as a general reply.

Saito Sensei would tell students that "osu" wasn't used in the dojo.

I remember him saying this to one group of students of Inagaki Sensei's, who proceeded to reply with a whole hearted, and unified "OSU!"


In Aiki,

Ethan Weisgard
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2006, 07:59 AM   #78
Ron Tisdale
Dojo: Doshinkan dojo in Roxborough, Pa
Location: Phila. Pa
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,615
United_States
Offline
Re: Osu!

Yeah, once it's programmed in, it's hard to be intelligent about it's use.
Best,
Ron

Ron Tisdale
-----------------------
"The higher a monkey climbs, the more you see of his behind."
St. Bonaventure (ca. 1221-1274)
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2006, 01:01 PM   #79
siwilson
Dojo: Kenshinkai Yoshinkan Aikido
Location: Portsmouth
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 450
England
Offline
Re: Osu!

The real intent is in the way it is said.

A sloppy, lazy, "oossuu" is like the shortened "Ohayou gozaimasu" or "Onegai Shimasu" - disrespectful.

A strong "OSU" with eyes bright and snilimg is very respectful and a joy to an ubderstanding Sensei.

A hissed "Osu" with a black look is similar to the sloppy, lazy way, but with bad feeling.

If you ask any Military Officer, they will explain this in the same way as the troops can say "Yes Sir!"

OSU!

Osu!
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2014, 09:02 AM   #80
jbelly
Location: sf bay area, ca
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 12
United_States
Offline
Re: Osu!

Quote:
Si Wilson wrote: View Post
In Yoshinkan, "Osu!" )which sounds like "Ooss!" is said with energy, humility, respect and not a hint of laziness.

OSU!
i remember saying "Osu!" when entering and exiting the dojo. All aikidoka would stop whatever they were doing, and respond with "Osu!". It was a very formal protocol within this dojo.
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2014, 08:29 AM   #81
OwlMatt
 
OwlMatt's Avatar
Dojo: Milwaukee Aikikai
Location: Wisconsin
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 401
United_States
Offline
Re: Osu!

My favorite piece on the subject of osu.

http://www.24fightingchickens.com/20...-usage-of-osu/

Last edited by OwlMatt : 04-12-2014 at 08:36 AM.

  Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2014, 01:45 PM   #82
SteveTrinkle
Dojo: Aikido Kenkyukai International
Location: Ambler, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 232
United_States
Offline
Re: Osu!

it's used among Yakusa guys too

  Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2014, 10:16 AM   #83
Joe Ricard
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 8
Offline
Re: Osu!

When I had the distinct privledge to spend 10 days on a Japanses Destroyer many moons ago. Osu was used as a greeting in a very informal way. Among friends. I asked the meaning and the answer was basically lazy slang for ohayo gozaimasu.
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2014, 06:16 PM   #84
Dave Gallagher
Dojo: Shobukan Dojo, St.Louis
Location: St.Louis
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 125
United_States
Offline
Re: Osu!

I can only speak from my 40 years experience in Budo. I started in the early 1970's with JKA style Shotokan Karate.. The expression OSS was, and still is, used to mean a number of things like, I understand, yes, hello, goodbye, Karateka use the term to end letters, emails, phone calls etc.

It is much like the motto of the Irish regiments that use Faugh a Ballagh (clear the way). current serving and veteran soldies will use that term to end letters, emails etc. Manny time using FaB instead of writing it iut. The Irish Guards use their motto Quis Saparabit (who will seperate us ?) in much the same way. Often just written as QS.
Most people know the Irish origin of the American military regiment using the motto Garryowen..
In my Aikido training oss was never used. It is not used in Kendo or in any koryu that I know of.
There is no harm in using the term as long as you use it in the spirit of the art.

It is the duty of the strong to protect the weak.
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2014, 09:30 PM   #85
Pusher
Location: Dover
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 4
United_States
Offline
Re: Osu!

It means "to push" from my dojo.

Hence, Pusher.
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2014, 08:47 AM   #86
phitruong
Dojo: Charlotte Aikikai Agatsu Dojo
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,944
United_States
Offline
Re: Osu!

Quote:
Dave Gallagher wrote: View Post
It is much like the motto of the Irish regiments that use Faugh a Ballagh (clear the way). current serving and veteran soldies will use that term to end letters, emails etc. Manny time using FaB instead of writing it iut. The Irish Guards use their motto Quis Saparabit (who will seperate us ?) in much the same way. Often just written as QS.
Most people know the Irish origin of the American military regiment using the motto Garryowen..
In my Aikido training oss was never used. It is not used in Kendo or in any koryu that I know of.
There is no harm in using the term as long as you use it in the spirit of the art.
our motto is "Oh Shit!" (Crap!). this usually happened during our atemi phase of training, which is 100% of the time or approximately close to it.

"budo is putting on cold, wet, sweat stained gi with a smile and a snarl" - your truly
http://charlotteaikikai.org
  Reply With Quote

Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:23 AM.



vBulletin Copyright © 2000-2024 Jelsoft Enterprises Limited
----------
Copyright 1997-2024 AikiWeb and its Authors, All Rights Reserved.
----------
For questions and comments about this website:
Send E-mail
plainlaid-picaresque outchasing-protistan explicantia-altarage seaford-stellionate