Osu (押忍) is
an ideal that we strive for. Osu is written with the kanji “push” and “endure”.
In Koushinkai, the word “Osu” is
substituted as a greeting and also used when acknowledging our instructors and
peers. When using the word “Osu”, we should be reminded that we are pushing
ourselves and each other to achieve goals that will require us to endure the
hardships of rigorous training.
押忍の精神
耐え難きを耐え、忍びがたきを忍び、押さば押せ、引かば押せ、是即ち押忍の精神なり。
The Spirit of Osu
Bear the unbearable, endure the
impossible, press forward when pressed upon, press forward when withdrawn; this
is the spirit of Osu.
- The ultimate aim of Koushinkai Karate is
to strengthen mind, body, and spirit though Karate training.
- Rei (礼) (manners; etiquette) is the most
important quality of a Koushinkai Karate-ka.
- We expect everyone in the club to train
hard but not to train harder than they are capable.
- Safety in practice is our primary
concern.
- Spiritual development is equally as
important as physical development.
吾以外皆師 (I
learn from everyone else) Every person and thing we come in contact with, in
their own ways, has “something” that I don’t have. If they could be taken in meekly, all objects
in heaven and earth will become a valuable teacher. It is essential to lose the ego and have a
humble attitude to learn for any degree of personal progress.
生涯一求道者 (This is a lifetime pursuit)
There is no limit to progress. There is
no pause or stop in a person’s progress.
Not forgetting our original purpose and holding steadfastly to our pure
desire to learn, be ever learning and ever growing.
- Respect the Dojo by bowing and
pronouncing “Osu!” before entering or exiting.
- If you arrive late to class, please
prepare yourself to join (dress, warm up, stretch) and sit in seiza facing
away from the class. The instructor will invite you to join in a way that
doesn’t disrupt the flow of the class.
- Respect the instructor leading class by
lining up promptly when class begins or when returning from a break during
class.
- Respect the instructor by not
interrupting during instruction.
- Respect your peers by following safety
guidelines and instruction.
- Lastly, honor Koushinkai Karate and your
peers by striving to live outside the dojo as a moral and productive
member of society. The ideals of Karate should extend into other areas of
your life.
