While I was NOT in class this morning, one of the instructors said he spent some time reading this blog and noted some questions that I had asked (he must have been reading some
old posts) and some errors on how I'm writing the words. I'm grateful that he took the time to help. Thanks Mr. Vince.It's Three Set Kumite (not kuma tai as I've long had listed on the left menu bar) . Oops, I'll fit it soon. Thanks for the correction. He also told me that all of our words are Japanese in origin, not Chinese or Korean.
On another note, Jonathan Weeks explained to me the spelling and background of the standard greeting that we use in the dojo: "Ous" (which is how it is said) is really spelled OSU. While the definition/origin is actually unknown, "OSU" typically means "YES"!! Or "ALRIGHT" and/or "YOU-ROCK" amongst our Martial Arts "home-ies". It is most appropriately used ONLY by those practicing in the arenas of Karate or MMA. Kinda like a "gang-word" that only the gang can understand.
5 comments:
Ah yes, the old linguistics game. I completely understand you on that one. Imagine what it was like for me- having learned the Japanese language before I started karate! There were words spelled wrong in the manual, words terribly mispronounced to the point of nonrecognition, and words that were incredibly archaic compared to colloquial speech. The "osu" reminds me of one of my students, whom after 6 years, I finally had to tell him "It's 'osu', not 'ice'!
I try to refrain from being the language police, but I believe language is very important for helping us study the art. And while nobody has to be fluent per se, an attempt at correct pronunciation is not such a bad thing.
Nice blog. Regards :)
Did you have any running or fitness requirements for your Black Belt Test? Does it depend on your age? For example younger kids have somewhat easier requirements than adults?
The requirements for our junior and adult belt levels including black belt are pretty much identical. (There's a little kids program that's different).
Our black belt requirement is a combination of fitness (under 16 minute two mile run, 125 push ups & sit ups in batches of 25); attitude and attendance; and skills with kata and bugo.
My impression is that they are more demanding of the teenagers.
Here are a few more observations on our "lingo":
I frequently watch old samurai movies on Saturday morning before bugo - it's "Samurai Saturday" on the IFC channel (International Film Channel). I have often seen the characters in these (usually) old black and white films from Japan saying "Osu!" to each other.
Also, in Hiyao Miyazaki's recently released animated film "Ponyo", there is a scene of people rowing around in boats after a flood. In one of the boats in the background the men are rowing in time and yelling "Osu! Osu!"
I continue to enjoy your blog!
-Karen Newcombe
Karen. Thanks. I'll set my DVR to record and have some more martial arts to watch just in case I ever get bored of watching my huge supply of UFC Unleashed. It's the only TV I watch these days.
One one term that eludes me and annoys me the most is Kewsahl. We use it in bookset and while I've asked around, I've never found anyone who could spell it or found any other reference to it online.
But, this morning, Kyoshi was talking to the Candidate Class and mentioned Kewsahl is both a hand position and a breathing technique. We use it in bookset kata. It's derivative of...and the name now escapes me...a Chinese boxing or martial art discipline... I'll chase it down.
BTW - This was my first class in 8 days. I felt great going in. My back hurt a lot by the end. Durn.
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