OSS! Used widely in martial arts terms, but what does it mean?
If you’ve
been to any of our martial arts classes, or follow CDMA on social media, it’s
likely that you’ve heard our instructors or members say Oss, usually in
celebration, support or greeting. But where does it come from and why do we use
it today?
Much like
Namaste in yoga circles, Oss has an interesting and convoluted history…
The word
itself is in fact an abbreviation, or derivation of three possible phrases used
in Japanese Karate schools.
Onegai
Shimasu - a
traditional polite invitation such as ‘please, if you will’. In which case it
can be said at the beginning of practise, inviting class members to take their
place on the Tatami (floor matting).
Osu no
Seishin - this
phrase can mean to ‘push’ or ‘endure’ and is commonly used to describe combat
spirit, referring to a person’s resilience during a fight.
Oshi
Shinobu -
persevering when pushed, or enduring under pressure, ethics in which martial
arts are deeply invested. In which sense Oss will be used in celebration of a
fight well fought, achieving a new grade or otherwise achieving growth in an
individual’s personal development.
How do you pronounce Oss
correctly?
If you want
to make sure you’re using it correctly, as well as knowing when to say it,
you’ll need to know how it’s pronounced. Believe it or not, it sounds exactly
how it looks – Oss! But really, if you say it at all, it will be gratefully
received however it comes out!
In our
opinion, using the word Oss is a sign of respect and kindness, two traits that
we value highly inside and outside of the dojo, and which are the basis of the
martial arts practise. All are welcome to join us using this word, but more
than that, we encourage it.
If you’d like to try martial arts for free, we
do offer trial classes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Karate and Jeet Kune Do, for
both adults and children from 3 years of age, just use the free martial arts class link to book on.