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By Rebecca Williams•Last Updated May 21, 2025

OSS in Martial Arts: Meaning and Significance

Understand OSS in martial arts

In martial arts dojos around the world, you’ll oftentimes hear practitioners will exclaim” OSS! ” (will sometimes spell” OSU! “) during training sessions. This short but powerful expression carry deep cultural significance and represent core values that martial artists strive to embody.

What does OSS mean?

Os’s is aJapanesee term with multiple interpretations and applications in martial arts. The expression serve as a versatile communication tool that can mean different things depend on the context.

Origins and etymology

The term OSS has moderately disputed origins, but most martial arts historians trace it to early 20th centuryJapann. Thewell-nighh common explanations include:

A contraction of” oOnegashshiatsu” ãŠé¡˜ã„ã—ã¾ã™ ),)hich approximately translate to ” p” se ” or” wit” our permission ”
”
Derive from” oOSIshShinobi” æŠ¼ã—å¿ ),)ean ” p” evere under pressure ” or” end” ”
”
A phonetic shortening of” ookaygozaimasu “” ãŠã¯ã‚ˆã†ã”ã–ã„ã¾ã™ ),) formal japaJapaneseeting

In karate and other Japanese martial arts, OSS become standardized during military training in imperial Japan, where it represents the spirit of determination and resilience require of soldiers and martial artists like.

Multiple meanings of OSS

What make OSS peculiarly interesting is its versatility. Depend on the situation, OSS can mean:

Acknowledgment

” Inderstand “” ” ” eIr you ”
”
Agreement

” es “” ” ” iIl do it ”
”
Greet

use when enter or leave the dojo
Expression of effort

shout during powerful techniques
Show respect

when bow to instructors or training partners
Perseverance

symbolize the determination to continue despite challenges

Os’s across different martial arts styles

While OSS originate in Japanese martial arts, its use has spread to various styles and systems worldwide, though with vary degrees of adoption and sometimes different meanings.

Os’s in karate

In traditional kyokushin karate, OSS represent the ultimate expression of the fight spirit. Mas Obama, the founder of kyokushin, emphasize OSS as embody the principles of patience, respect, and endurance. Students typically say OSS when:

Greet the sensei and fellow students
Acknowledge instructions
Begin and end data (forms )
Show fight spirit during quite ((par ))

Os’s inBraziliannjiu-jitsuu

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (bBJJ)adopt osOSShrough its connection with jaJapaneseartial arts. In bjBJJircles, osOSSas become something of a cultural identifier â€” a way practitioners recognize fellow devotees of the art. It’s usually usused

As a greeting between training partners
To acknowledge an advantageously execute technique
To show respect after roll (spar )
As a general expression of the BJJ lifestyle and mindset

Other martial arts

The use of OSS vary importantly in other martial arts:

Judo

less usually use, with traditional jJapaneseterminology prefer
Taekwondo

not traditionally use, as kKoreanterminology is standard
MMA

occasionally use, particularly by fighters with backgrounds in karate or bBJJ
Muay Thai

not traditionally use, with tThaiterminology prefer

The philosophy behind OSS

Beyond its practical applications, OSS represent a philosophical approach to martial arts training and life itself.

Os’s as a mindset

At its core, OSS embody several key principles:

Perseverance

the determination to continue despite pain, fatigue, or difficulty
Respect

acknowledge the wisdom of instructors and the efforts of training partners
Discipline

follow instructions without question or hesitation
Focus

maintain complete concentration on the task at hand
Humility

recognize one’s limitations and continue to learn

Many martial artists view OSS as more than exactly a word â€” it’s a reminder of the mental attitude necessary for growth in martial arts. When a student say OSS, they’re reaffirmed their commitment to these principles.

The spirit of OSS in training

The concept of OSS become specially relevant during challenge training sessions. When muscles burn, fatigue sets in, and the mind want to quit, the spirit of OSS remind practitioners to persevere. This mental fortitude â€” push through difficulty without complaint â€” is considered essential for martial arts development.

As one kyokushin say go:” when you’re exhausted and feel like you ccan’tgo on, say osOSSnd continue. This is the spirit of osOSS”

Proper usage and etiquette

While OSS is wide use, there be important considerations regard its proper usage and potential cultural sensitivities.

When to use OSS

The appropriate use of OSS vary by dojo and martial art style. Broadly accept occasions include:

When greet an instructor or senior student
When receive instruction or correction
Earlier and after perform data or techniques
When enter or leave the training area
During moments require extra effort or spirit

When not to use OSS

There be situations where use OSS might be considered inappropriate:

In martial arts styles that don’t traditionally use the term
In formal Japanese settings outside martial arts context
When use overly or without understand its meaning
In schools where instructors specifically discourage its use

Cultural considerations

Some traditional Japanese martial artists note that OSS has sometimes been overuse or misappropriate in western dojos. In Japan, the term carries connotations of masculinity and toughness and was historically associate with military culture. Some schools prefer more formaJapanesese terminology.

The best approach is to observe the customs of your specific dojo and follow the lead of your instructors regard the use of OSS.

Os’s in modern martial arts culture

Today, OSS has transcended itJapanesese origins to become part of global martial arts culture.

Os’s as identity

For many practitioners, peculiarly in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and kyokushin karate communities, OSS has become a marker of identity. The term appear on t shirts, in social media hashtags (- oOSS) and as a greeting between practitioners who may differently be strangers.

This share language creates a sense of community among martial artistsworldwidee. When two BJJ practitioners meet and exchange” oOSS ” hey’re acacknowledgedheir share values and experiences.

Criticisms and controversies

Not all martial artists embrace the widespread use of OSS. Some criticisms include:

Overuse dilute its meaning and significance
Cultural appropriation concerns when use without understand
Association with excessively rigid or militaristic training methods
Inconsistency with the traditional terminology of some arts

Some traditional dojos prefer students to use proper Japanese terminology instead than to abbreviate oOSS

Teach OSS to new students

For instructors and senior students, explain the meaning and proper use of OSS to beginners is an opportunity to transmit not simply terminology but core martial arts values.

Explain more than simply a word

When introduce OSS to new students, effective instructors explain:

The multiple meanings and context for its use
The underlying philosophy of perseverance and respect
The historical and cultural background
Specific dojo protocols regard when to use OSS

This deeper understanding help students appreciate that OSS is not simply a sound but a concept that should inform their approach to training.

Embody the spirit of OSS

Beyond simply say the word, students are encouraged to embody the spirit ofOSSs done:

Train with intensity and focus
Show respect to all dojo members
Persevere through difficult training
Maintain humility careless of skill level
Support fellow students in their development

Conclusion

Os’s represent far more than a simple greeting or acknowledgment in martial arts. Itembodiesy core values of perseverance, respect, and determination that lie at the heart of martial arts training. Whether use in a traditionJapaneseese dojo or a modeBJJbjj academOSSoss serve as a reminder of the mental attitude necessary for growth in martial arts.

While its usage vary across different styles and schools, the spirit of OSS â€” continue despite difficulty, show respect, and maintain discipline â€” remain relevant to martial artists worldwide. Understand both the practical applications and philosophical implications of oOSScan enrich any practitioner’s martial arts journey.

Finally, OSS is not exactly something you say â€” it’s something you live through your training, your interactions with others, and your approach to challenges both on and off the mat.