Karate curiosity?

Question

Been doing karate for a little while now and would like to know what the whole thing of bowing and saying 'ush' at the start of the session is all about and where it came from. My instructor said it's all to do with respect, but I would like to know more if anyone can help

Answer 1

This is, I would argue, one of the most important parts of karate. The osu is a sign of respect towards those who know more than you, it is a sign of humility and understanding. It is saying that you understand you have more to learn. Osu can also mean an infinate ammount of other things, everything from "hello" and "goodbye" to "I understand", "good job", or "thank you"

Answer 2

How quickly society forgets :)

Bowing was the cultural norm for Western as well as Eastern societies for centuries, before the handshake took hold and took over in the West, and that was very recent. I believe it was a US president who started the handshake as a greeting and for some reason, it caught on.

Bowing within the martial arts is a mark of mutual respect, student to instructor and also instructor to student. It can have many meanings as simple as "hello" or as complex as "I am here and ready to train and learn from you" from the student and "Thank you for coming to class and being ready to work hard" from the instructor.

Bowing still occurs in many Western environments, especially those where formality and etiquette are still embraced, such as with diplomatic dignataries, royalty, foreign heads of state and so on.

As to the word you say, that has been well explained by others on this topic I believe and I really cannot add anything to that.


Ken C
9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do
8th Dan TaeKwon-Do
7th Dan YongChul-Do

Answer 3

Your instructor is right. Remember that it is actually from a different culture so it may be unfamiliar to you. It was a society that was about balance and inner peace. They were into "Civilized" combat. Just as bloody, and deadly but with respect. Even in suicide the captors stood by so this deadly, but extremely painful ceremony wouldn't last to long. Also, they cut off someones head they would cut thru leaving a thin membrane so the head wouldn't come off because that was disrespectful. They are all about honor and respect even in battle. So, Bowing at the beginning of a tournament or fight is a way of showing that you honor and respect your opponent and that it is a good battle, That you hope he gives his best today.

Answer 4

I have answered this in the past but I do not know how to link to that answer... so I have copied it again...

"Osu" is what they are saying. It is only used in "Japanese" dojos (although here in Japan it is rarely used...haha)

This term is open to a lot of debate. It is considered respectful by some, rude by others. There are many opinions and beliefs - some say Osu is a sign of spirit (there are chinese characters assigned to it but this is a "chicken and the egg" debate) while others say it is a sign of working class, young men's slang (the shortened form of "Ohayo Goazaimasu" or "Onegai shimasu").

I have met top teachers who use it but out of all the people I have met, very few do actually use it. Living and training in Japan..well, I meet a lot of martial arts people... and only a small percentage of those people use it.

So, if your teacher encourages it, I would follow it in the class. But, if you go somewhere else (tournaments, seminars, etc), keep your eyes open and make sure that it is accepted in that environment. A more common response is "Hai" in Japanese dojos.

Good question. Good luck in your training

Answer 5

We do it in Koshyn Ryu before and after sparring. As other have said it is to do with respect and preparation.

Combined with a bow it means that I have respect for you and your abilities. As a result it helps to stop people taking things personally and getting upset, allowing everyone to train together peacefully.

PS: Joe C. Everyone needs to show respect. They just do it in different ways. I hope you can appreciate this some day.

Answer 6

It is actually Osu. There is no direct translation from Japanese into English. It in effect means I have understood and will endeavour to do my best. Bowing is a show of respect to those who have gone before. Which is the literal translation of Sensei, One who has gone before. The problem for many Western students is that we look for quick easy understanding of Eastern culture when it just isn't that easy. It actually sounds as though your own teacher has very limited knowledge.

Answer 7

It represents respect for yourself respect for others respect for life.OSU is a contraction for a term signifying the concept of patience.Patience in learning patience in understanding.

All of these seem to escape the bone head and sometimes out right thug mentality of "reality" practioners who if they had to deal with real street fighters(criminals) and not just massage each others egos with phony training fights wouldn't fare any better than anyone else.

Answer 8

No matter what the ritual is follow them. If nothing else it trains your body and your mind to get ready to learn something. Pavlov stuff, it puts you into that mindset ect.. It will aid the learning process. Its why most places have uniforms and customs to start and end a class. The formal class setting is classicly more sucessful for teaching martial arts to a group.

Answer 9

Osu is not even used in Japan.

The Oyama followers do that... Kyokushin practitioners and Oyama karate etc.

It means something like respect and appreciation.

Answer 10

I do Thai Boxing and we have to Wai (slight bow) before our Kru (Teacher)

We Wai to teacher to show respect

We Wai before and after sparring to show respect and sportsmanship.

I have made a Martial Atrs page www.kickyourheadoff.info


.