Dojo Etiquette, Basic Disease Control, The meaning of osu

dojo etiquette

1. Bow to the center of the mat when you enter and exit.
2. If you are late wait for instructor’s permission to enter mat area.
3. If you need to leave the mat area ask instructor for permission to exit mat area.
4. Bow or shake hands with partner before and after practice.
5. Be attentive when the instructor is speaking or teaching.
6. The highest ranking student will conduct the instruction and unless identified to do so, students are not to teach.
7. All gi’s/kimonos/uniforms must be clean for every class.
8. Training should be mutually beneficially to both you and your partner so work together.
9. The main focus in Jiu-Jitsu is technique acquisition, therefore students are recommended to be methodical and vigilant in their training.
10. During sparing all new students have the option of sitting and observing.
11. During training, if you are at risk of being injured or a position is hurting you either say STOP or firmly TAP your partner and this will tell your partner to immediately stop applying any technique.
12. Safety is a primary concern when training.
13. Self-control and good sportsmanship are mandatory. There is a mutual benefit as these behaviors optimize your training and build a strong sense of team.

Personal Hygiene and Care

All of the personal hygiene and care requirements are based under the concept of team fellowship in that they following characteristics demonstrate respect to one another, to the instructor and to the dojo.

1. All nails must be trimmed (fingers & toes)
2. Long hair must be pulled back.
3. A daily bath and use of under arm deodorant is mandatory
4. Open cuts and abrasions must be covered with the appropriate dressing.
5. If you are infected with a transferable fungus and bacterial infections such as ring worm, staphylococcus, etc. training or use of the facility is prohibited until fully cleared.
6. Attention to personal hygiene is mandatory. All students are required to be clean and free of foul orders. Professors hold the right to ask a student to leave is good personal hygiene is not being followed.

The meaning of osu

The famous “OSS” has many origins. The first definition of “OSS” is an abbreviation for Onegai Shimasu, which translates into a request, a solicitation, an invitation like “please”, “if you may” or “With your permission”, much used when inviting a partner to train.

The second definition of “OSS”, also known as “ossu” Means Oshi Shinobu, which conveys the idea (the literal translation has nothing to do with the context) of “persevering when pushed” in other words, never give up, have determination, grit and withstand the most arduous of training. Carrying on without giving up, under all kinds of pressure- that’s the idea of inner strength so common in Asian culture.

According to Miyamoto Musashi, in the book “go run no who”, the samurai would use three types of shouts: One before combat, the second during combat, when attacking to muster great strength and the third after the fight, to celebrate victory.

“Oss”, beyond demonstrating strong spirit and determination before a fight, is also used to suggest or confirm a piece of information. Thus whenever a Sensei asks or informs something, the response is “OSS!” it is the response that will confirm understanding.