I hear you. Ous, like any expression in a language,has bloomed into many other meanings. It has become appropriate to use it for various settings such as: Ous to bow in, Ous in response to a point the sensei may be making, or Ous in agreement to something.
Shotokan people ( I am one by the way ) simply over use this word to the point that it is annoying at times...they say if for hello, good by, yes, and whatever.
I got so tired of it, I decided not to use it anymore.
Shotokan was the second art I studied in my path on the Martial Way. The first was Hawaiian Kenpo. After that I studied some Wing Chun, Aikido and Eskrima-Kali from friends and family. Currently I am studying Liu Ho Ba Fa and Lama Pai. Lama Pai brings me back full circle for some of its movements are not unlike Shotokan.
It always bothered me when my students are late when I am always on time for them and make myself available for them. I would have the tardy student wait in the greeting area in a horse stance until i was ready for them to join the class and offer "Osu" to myself, the Dojo and the rest of those present for the interuption and disrespect of thier tardiness. Then all is forgiven and we move forward.
the different spellings is a result of attempting to apply the english alphabet to japanese/ Osu literally means, "Patience with myself and others" It is short for "onegaishimasu" . The word can be used when start of the class. The word can also mean sorry, or can be used as yes. Saying this word is to show each other respect to either the instructors or the students. When "oss" is used for sorry it might be when doing pair work the partner accidentally made contact or when late to class.
Shihan Kanazawa is a legend in the Martial Arts and a true Master of the Martial Way.. I have a lot of respect for Shihan. Not so much for Ekukataka, no Osu for that cat.
To me, after 38 years in following the Martial Way, Ous is all about giving and recieving respect and honor....Ous. Sport is but one of many aspects of the Martial Way. The ancient Greeks used the Martial Way in the first Olympics as a less lethal means to prove one's worth as a warrior. I have some Ous for Martial Sport. Same as using the Martial Way to promote good health and cultivating the Chi. That is the beauty of the Martial Way, it has no borders, no bounderies. Something for everyone.
@naumutroi Thank you for your comments. I believe since we never new the translation of “Ous”, the phrase naturally developed many connotations. It meant, “Yes Sir” for me for the most part, but it could also mean. “Cool” or “Right On” if someone did an impressive move. Like, “The Martial Way”, “Ous” has grown into many aspects of life. Thanks again, Marcos MIranda
MY Master, Founder of a martial arts ryu recognized by the Ministry of Education in Japan, Soke Takayuki Kubota, spells it "Osu." You would have to study Japanese language to understand why this translation is correct. "Oss" is pronounced "Awss". "Ous" is pronounced "Owss." "Osu" indicates the Japanese short "O," the "u" is not pronounced, but stands for the abrupt, percussive sound made when terminating the "s" sound. This sound must be accounted for to assure accurate translation.
@ShotokanKarateRules I used to write it as Ooosss because Peter Urban (goju master) used to write it that way for his Blackbelt and Karate Illustrated magazine articles. Now a days, the majority of martial artist that Ive come across write it as Ous although I like Oss too.
@ShotokanKarateRules it is not OUS it is OSU!!!! it is written OSU but when we say it, that U is losing and we hear only OS..and you will hear only OSS,and I have proof..every word in japanesse language ends with vowel .but some you can hardly hear, bcs their language is very sharp..and S is not a vowel.and if u write osssss it is not real japanesse way, if u dont believe me, look at kanji
@TheFudokan This is correct; The correct way is "Osu" pronounced "OSS". Ever heard hangetsu pronounced "Hangets"? Same thing. Also, the common saying "domo arigato gozaimasu" the U is silent as well...
Kanazawa was not the first Japanese champion in kumite and kata. He was the first JKA tournament champion. Strange, he advocates karate as a martial art. How many tournaments do you suspect Itosu competed in? Real karate is a martial art. Tournaments are not possible in martial arts, people get maimed or killed. No? How many tournaments have you ever seen in bayonet fighting? Spare me the horse crap, it is a martial art, the west has turned it into a sport and it is hardly recognizable.
Unfortunately, there are those in Japan that have allowed karate jutsu to become karate do just as judo and kendo. Funakoshi described kendo as an exercise and judo has always been a sport. Likewise, there has been invasion of the same mind set on Okinawa as Shokushinkai. Fortunately, Okinawans know karate to be a martial art and they keep that tradition. My thanks and admiration goes out to them for having the resolve to preserve the truth and perpetuate a their own indominable martial spirit.
To those wanting authentic karate, stay away from western influence it has the trappings of sport, money and the western ego. Find a truly Okinawan lineage that is provable by the instructor. It will take some doing but the end result will be the truth for your money and effort. Spending years in an inauthentic endeavor results in just that, inauthentic results. The East and USA are permeated with it. False teachers and Mcdojos producing junk are everywhere and it is a shame and a disgrace.
@olev456 Old? That is in the mind. Bitter, nope, better. Better because I don't sunscribe to the nonsense you apparently subscribe to. And, I will bitch exactly as how I desire to. Know why? Because I can. As for you, you assign nasty words because you are ignorantly defending something you know little of. You are little more than a child and you are talking like you are an expert. You aren't, you can not be, you have not had enough time. Be quiet, adults are talking here.
I used to write it as Ooosss because Peter Urban (goju master) used to write it that way for his Blackbelt and Karate Illustrated magazine articles. Now a days, the majority of martial artist that Ive come across write it as Ous. Youre right; the spelling is for our purposes and not that of the Japanese. Even though the expression is made up of two Japanese words, o and su, it is not pronounced Osu. Ous has (for the last 40 years) always encouraged a deep bow. Thanks for your comment.
The spelling is "o su" and it is pronounced OSSu, meaning the u is very short and most of what is heard is "oss". The japanese do not spell anything. Their language is ideogramatic. He plainly states there are two kanji, "o" and "su". Hense, "Osu". The Japanese ear is very keen to inflexion, so, if you say "ous" you may not be understood.
I barrowed the Ooosss spelling from the great goju master Peter Urban, America's first 10th dan. He used to start his magazine articles with, Ooosss. Your spelling (ous) makes sense too. Thanks.I'll use it also.
I always thought it meant, "I understand." Now that I've heard Master Kanazawa explain it, I know that I am wrong. Thank you. I will explain this to the people I train with, and refer them to this video. Thanks again. Ous.
I know what you mean. Back in the day, I would ask Japanese people what did Ous mean. Nobody knew. It was just something cultural that went along with the bow. I never gave it another thought until I ran into Kanazawa's interview. Thanks for your comment.
I hear you. Ous, like any expression in a language,has bloomed into many other meanings. It has become appropriate to use it for various settings such as: Ous to bow in, Ous in response to a point the sensei may be making, or Ous in agreement to something.
HvnOnErth 1 month ago
Knowing this now, I think I will switch to "Hai" for general response to queries etc. and save "Ossu" for bowing. That seems more appropriate to me.
RainBirdLori 1 month ago
Yes. I usually say-onegaishmasu- when greeting a partner. Ous
HvnOnErth 1 month ago
some japanese styles use "onegai Shimasu" in a similar way..a little more formal i guess..
Torontokoshiki 1 month ago
I started with Shotokan many moons ago; it's hard not to use it-OUS.
HvnOnErth 5 months ago
Shotokan people ( I am one by the way ) simply over use this word to the point that it is annoying at times...they say if for hello, good by, yes, and whatever.
I got so tired of it, I decided not to use it anymore.
Ronin6575 5 months ago
Shotokan was the second art I studied in my path on the Martial Way. The first was Hawaiian Kenpo. After that I studied some Wing Chun, Aikido and Eskrima-Kali from friends and family. Currently I am studying Liu Ho Ba Fa and Lama Pai. Lama Pai brings me back full circle for some of its movements are not unlike Shotokan.
naumutroi 8 months ago
It always bothered me when my students are late when I am always on time for them and make myself available for them. I would have the tardy student wait in the greeting area in a horse stance until i was ready for them to join the class and offer "Osu" to myself, the Dojo and the rest of those present for the interuption and disrespect of thier tardiness. Then all is forgiven and we move forward.
naumutroi 8 months ago
the different spellings is a result of attempting to apply the english alphabet to japanese/ Osu literally means, "Patience with myself and others" It is short for "onegaishimasu" . The word can be used when start of the class. The word can also mean sorry, or can be used as yes. Saying this word is to show each other respect to either the instructors or the students. When "oss" is used for sorry it might be when doing pair work the partner accidentally made contact or when late to class.
naumutroi 8 months ago
Shihan Kanazawa is a legend in the Martial Arts and a true Master of the Martial Way.. I have a lot of respect for Shihan. Not so much for Ekukataka, no Osu for that cat.
naumutroi 8 months ago
To me, after 38 years in following the Martial Way, Ous is all about giving and recieving respect and honor....Ous. Sport is but one of many aspects of the Martial Way. The ancient Greeks used the Martial Way in the first Olympics as a less lethal means to prove one's worth as a warrior. I have some Ous for Martial Sport. Same as using the Martial Way to promote good health and cultivating the Chi. That is the beauty of the Martial Way, it has no borders, no bounderies. Something for everyone.
naumutroi 8 months ago
@naumutroi Thank you for your comments. I believe since we never new the translation of “Ous”, the phrase naturally developed many connotations. It meant, “Yes Sir” for me for the most part, but it could also mean. “Cool” or “Right On” if someone did an impressive move. Like, “The Martial Way”, “Ous” has grown into many aspects of life. Thanks again, Marcos MIranda
HvnOnErth 8 months ago
@HvnOnErth Osu and Domo Arigato, Sensei Miranda
naumutroi 8 months ago
i say oosss when i do bjj and when i lift heavy things lol
Pennyinmouth 11 months ago
oss osu ous all the same thing, just from different languages and cultures.
virginiabjj 1 year ago 2
@virginiabjj This is true my brother-this is true/Marcos
HvnOnErth 1 year ago
MY Master, Founder of a martial arts ryu recognized by the Ministry of Education in Japan, Soke Takayuki Kubota, spells it "Osu." You would have to study Japanese language to understand why this translation is correct. "Oss" is pronounced "Awss". "Ous" is pronounced "Owss." "Osu" indicates the Japanese short "O," the "u" is not pronounced, but stands for the abrupt, percussive sound made when terminating the "s" sound. This sound must be accounted for to assure accurate translation.
Tamashii32 1 year ago
Hmm, I always spelt it "Oss" not "Osu" or "Ous". I'm confused now. :P
ShotokanKarateRules 1 year ago
@ShotokanKarateRules I used to write it as Ooosss because Peter Urban (goju master) used to write it that way for his Blackbelt and Karate Illustrated magazine articles. Now a days, the majority of martial artist that Ive come across write it as Ous although I like Oss too.
HvnOnErth 1 year ago
@ShotokanKarateRules it is not OUS it is OSU!!!! it is written OSU but when we say it, that U is losing and we hear only OS..and you will hear only OSS,and I have proof..every word in japanesse language ends with vowel .but some you can hardly hear, bcs their language is very sharp..and S is not a vowel.and if u write osssss it is not real japanesse way, if u dont believe me, look at kanji
TheFudokan 2 months ago
@TheFudokan This is correct; The correct way is "Osu" pronounced "OSS". Ever heard hangetsu pronounced "Hangets"? Same thing. Also, the common saying "domo arigato gozaimasu" the U is silent as well...
hamer669 1 month ago
Kanazawa was not the first Japanese champion in kumite and kata. He was the first JKA tournament champion. Strange, he advocates karate as a martial art. How many tournaments do you suspect Itosu competed in? Real karate is a martial art. Tournaments are not possible in martial arts, people get maimed or killed. No? How many tournaments have you ever seen in bayonet fighting? Spare me the horse crap, it is a martial art, the west has turned it into a sport and it is hardly recognizable.
IEKUKATAKA 2 years ago
I hear you.
The East however is just as guilty of it too.
OUS my brother. Keep it real!
HvnOnErth 2 years ago
Unfortunately, there are those in Japan that have allowed karate jutsu to become karate do just as judo and kendo. Funakoshi described kendo as an exercise and judo has always been a sport. Likewise, there has been invasion of the same mind set on Okinawa as Shokushinkai. Fortunately, Okinawans know karate to be a martial art and they keep that tradition. My thanks and admiration goes out to them for having the resolve to preserve the truth and perpetuate a their own indominable martial spirit.
IEKUKATAKA 2 years ago
To those wanting authentic karate, stay away from western influence it has the trappings of sport, money and the western ego. Find a truly Okinawan lineage that is provable by the instructor. It will take some doing but the end result will be the truth for your money and effort. Spending years in an inauthentic endeavor results in just that, inauthentic results. The East and USA are permeated with it. False teachers and Mcdojos producing junk are everywhere and it is a shame and a disgrace.
IEKUKATAKA 2 years ago
Correction: The second to last sentence above should read, "the west and USA are...." etc.
IEKUKATAKA 2 years ago
@IEKUKATAKA u again....bittered old man
olev456 9 months ago
@olev456 Old? That is in the mind. Bitter, nope, better. Better because I don't sunscribe to the nonsense you apparently subscribe to. And, I will bitch exactly as how I desire to. Know why? Because I can. As for you, you assign nasty words because you are ignorantly defending something you know little of. You are little more than a child and you are talking like you are an expert. You aren't, you can not be, you have not had enough time. Be quiet, adults are talking here.
IEKUKATAKA 9 months ago
Comment removed
olev456 9 months ago
@IEKUKATAKA if you have any quarrel with wkf or mcdojos then reply on those vids, dont come to bich about kanazawa or other old masters.
olev456 9 months ago
I used to write it as Ooosss because Peter Urban (goju master) used to write it that way for his Blackbelt and Karate Illustrated magazine articles. Now a days, the majority of martial artist that Ive come across write it as Ous. Youre right; the spelling is for our purposes and not that of the Japanese. Even though the expression is made up of two Japanese words, o and su, it is not pronounced Osu. Ous has (for the last 40 years) always encouraged a deep bow. Thanks for your comment.
HvnOnErth 3 years ago
The spelling is "o su" and it is pronounced OSSu, meaning the u is very short and most of what is heard is "oss". The japanese do not spell anything. Their language is ideogramatic. He plainly states there are two kanji, "o" and "su". Hense, "Osu". The Japanese ear is very keen to inflexion, so, if you say "ous" you may not be understood.
IEKUKATAKA 3 years ago
That's how I've always spelled it: "OSSU!"
Malachi1979 2 years ago
:D
Thanks for checking it out.
Are you a martial artist?
HvnOnErth 3 years ago
just thought you might like to know it's ous.
Z0MBI3KILL3R 3 years ago
Thank you for your comment.
I barrowed the Ooosss spelling from the great goju master Peter Urban, America's first 10th dan. He used to start his magazine articles with, Ooosss. Your spelling (ous) makes sense too. Thanks.I'll use it also.
HvnOnErth 3 years ago
I always thought it meant, "I understand." Now that I've heard Master Kanazawa explain it, I know that I am wrong. Thank you. I will explain this to the people I train with, and refer them to this video. Thanks again. Ous.
njtr 3 years ago
I know what you mean. Back in the day, I would ask Japanese people what did Ous mean. Nobody knew. It was just something cultural that went along with the bow. I never gave it another thought until I ran into Kanazawa's interview. Thanks for your comment.
Palm to Palm, Marcos
HvnOnErth 3 years ago