Osu!

Dojo Kun (Oath)

Dojo Etiquette

Kumite Rules

Terminology

OSU!

You may not be familiar with the word Osu (pronounced like oops without the p). But in all WORLD OYAMA KARATE dojos, when we enter or leave the training area, we bow and say "Osu". And when we greet each other, we bow, shake hands, and say "Osu".

Here is a quote from the textbook Full Contact Karate: Perfect Karate No. 1, by Soshu S. Oyama, Shihan Y. Oyama, and Shihan M. Miura, which explains the meaning of this word.

Osu means patience, respect, and appreciation. In order to develop a strong body and strong spirit, it is necessary to undergo rigorous training. This is demanding and difficult because you push yourself to what you believe to be your limit and you want to stop, to give up. When you reach this point you must fight yourself and your weaknesses and you must win. To do this you must learn to persevere, but, above all, you must learn to be patient. This is Osu.

The reason you subject yourself to hard training is because you care about yourself, and to care about yourself is to respect yourself. This self-respect evolves and expands to become respect for your instructor and fellow students. When you enter the dojo, you bow and say, Osu! This means you respect your dojo and the time you spend training there. This feeling of respect is Osu.

During training you push yourself as hard as possible because you respect yourself. When you finish your practice you bow to your instructor and fellow students and say Osu! Then as you leave the dojo you stop at the door, bow and say Osu once more. You do this out of appreciation. This feeling of appreciation is Osu.

Thus, Osu is a very important word in WORLD OYAMA KARATE because it signifies patience, respect, and appreciation. This is why we always use the word Osu, to remind ourselves of these indespensable qualities.

Dojo Kun (Oath)

We will train our hearts and bodies for a firm unshaking spirit.

We will pursue the true meaning of the martial way, so that in time, our senses may be alert.

With true vigor we will seek to cultivate a spirit of self deinal.

We will observe the rules of courtesy, respect our superiors, and refrain from violence.

We will follow god, and never forget the true virtue of humility.

We will look upwards to wisdom and strength, not seeking other desires.

All our lives, through the discipline of Karate, we will seek to fulfil the true meaning of the way.

Dojo Etiquette

We were so impressed with this page (and others) from the web site of the St-Hubert Kyokushin Karate center that we copied their whole etiquette page. (Thank you St_Hubert! By the way, we can't find them at their old web address. If anyone knows where to find them, please let us know.)

These rules are designed to help with the smooth running of the dojo. Many of these procedures are common sense, many are plain good manners, and most are modelled on the traditions of Japan. In the Oyama dojos around the world, there is a strict adherance to tradition, yet there is also compromise where it is more suitable. Attitudes vary from nation to nation, so rule variations also exist.

There is no justification for laziness, or disregard for rules because of it. The dojo should be revered. It is not merely a gym or ordinary training hall. KARATE-DO HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH LARGE MUSCLES AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE PERFECTION OF THE CHARACTER. Take care of and pride in your dojo and treat it as you would any place of reverence. Karate is too easily mistaken for nothing more than a rough and demanding sport, serving little purpose except to teach its participants to injure others.

No-one is above the common courtesies expressed in the dojo rules. Often a senior student becomes too familiar with the dojo and his peers, and finds humour in his disregard of the dojo rules. Always remember that all Karate-ka, whether black belt or beginner, train in the same dojo on the same floor. All practice the same techniques and aspire toward the same ideals. Therefore, all are governed by the same requirements of etiquette...

1. When enterring or leaving the dojo, always face the front, bow and say Osu, then face the general direction of the other students in the class, bow and say Osu again.
   
   
2. When late to class, kneel at the back of the class in SEIZA. Wait with your eyes closed in MOKUSO. When acknowledged, remain in SEIZA and bow, saying "excuse me for being late." Stand and bow once again with a strong Osu, and quickly take your position on line. Students who are late for class should try harder to be on time.
   
   
3. Do not remove any part of your DOGI during training without being told to do so.
   
   
4. Do not eat, chew gum, smoke or drink in the dojo.
   
   
5. When asked to proceed to a position, or when lining up at the beginning of training or for some reason during training, always move as quicly as possible - do not stroll.
   
   
6. Never practice kumite unless an instructor is present. When practtising kumite with a black belt, do your very best, but show respect for the rank. If you think you can go harder then do so, but remember that they have your lower rank in mind whilst they are sparring, and so will not be fighting their hardest.
   
   
7. Do not ask a higher grade for kumite. You should not refuse however, if you are asked by a senior grade.
   
   
8. Do not break rank for any reason without permission from the instructor. Never walk between rows, or between the instructor and those training. If you must leave your position, walk behind the row you are in to either side of the class and proceed from there.
   
   
9. Address your instructor as SEMPAI, SENSEI or SHIHAN, as the case may be. Do not address an intructor by their first name in class.
   
   
10. Do not swear, laugh, giggle, talk, lounge or act inattentively during training. Treat your training seriously; it is not a laughing matter. A karate-ka is always alert and well behave. Possession of a senior grade (especially black belt) is not your ticket to relaxation and familiarity in the dojo. Do not waste your time and everyone else's if you are not prepared to treat your training and your fellow karate-ka with respect and the seriousness deserved. This includes leaving before the end of training. Unless directed by the instructor, a strudent should remain in the class until completion of the final bow-out. Abuse of this rule will not be tolerated.
    
    
11. Kneel on your right knee to adjust or re-tie your belt. Turn to the right, away from the front of the class, or from your partner if you are working with someone, to adjust your dogi. Learn to respect your belt as a symbol of your efforts in training.
    
    
12. Your dogi must be washed clean and neat at all times. Your belt should be aired dry but never washed, as it symbolically contains the spirit of your hard training.
    
    
13. Listen carefully to the instructor's directions. Remember that the instructor will not ask you to do what he or she would not do also. Acknowlege all instructions with a strong Osu.
    
    
14. The instructor, whoever it may be, should be treated with the respect that you yourself would expect as common courtesy. If you cannot find it in you to show respect to a person who is taking their time to teach you, then you do not belong in a karate dojo. Never question his/her direction; never speak in class unless asked by the instructor. Such obedience develops a bond of trust between the instructor and student, wich improves mutual receptivity, simplifying and speeding the learning process.
    
    
15. For the sake of safety and neatness, do not wear jewellery during training, or when you are wearing your dogi.
    
    
16. Keep your toenails and fingernails clean and cut short at all times. Always be sure your feet, nails and hands are washed clean for training. In training you often work closely with others. Nobody likes to train with someone who is dirty.
    
    
17. Be sure to go to the toilet prior to training. An accidental blow to a full bladder can be extremely dangerous. Try also to remember that it is not good for the body to train on a full stomach, so avoid eating for at least one hour before class starts.
    
    

South Valley Oyama Kumite Rules