{"id":1158,"date":"2022-12-04T14:44:02","date_gmt":"2022-12-04T13:44:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/?p=1158"},"modified":"2023-03-20T02:46:29","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T01:46:29","slug":"oss-bjj","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/oss-bjj\/","title":{"rendered":"OSS BJJ: The Meaning of OSS in Jiu Jitsu"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>OSS BJJ: If Jiu Jitsu is part of your life, you have certainly heard the phrase OSS before. But what is the meaning of OSS and how is it related to BJJ? Where does it come from and why is it used so commonly? Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Short answer<\/strong>: OSS is an expression that is commonly used in Jiu Jitsu and other martial arts as a form of greeting or sign of respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But there is even more to OSS, so stay tuned.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_80f243-b1 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{padding-top:20px;padding-right:20px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:20px;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;box-shadow:0px 0px 14px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_80f243-b1 .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_80f243-b1 .kb-table-of-contents-title{font-family:Oswald;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_80f243-b1 .kb-table-of-content-wrap .kb-table-of-content-list{line-height:32px;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;margin-top:20px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}<\/style>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_da2583-f3 .kt-block-spacer{height:50px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_da2583-f3 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-_da2583-f3\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The meaning of OSS in BJJ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The meaning of OSS in BJJ today is manyfold as it encompasses the following aspects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Greeting:<\/strong> BJJ practitioners often use OSS when greeting each other as well as when starting or ending a class.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Paying Respect: <\/strong>OSS is often used when stepping on the mat as an expression of respect for the art, the school, and the teammates. Additionally, it is used before or after a roll or fight to signal a sportsmanlike attitude and respect. Therefore, saying the phrase OSS is often followed by a bow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Motivation <\/strong>and <strong>Encouragement: <\/strong>OSS can be used as a chant for inner strength and resilience. It can remind yourself or a teammate to keep going even if the situation is tough.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Agreement: <\/strong>Finally, OSS has the overarching meaning of signaling agreement. When the professor says OSS and bows to the students, they often respond with OSS. The same goes for two contenders of a Jiu Jitsu fight. The two parties agree on training together or fighting each other in a respectful manner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_86e172-5b .kt-block-spacer{height:50px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_86e172-5b .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-_86e172-5b\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The origins of OSS in Jiu Jitsu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ryunosuke-kikuno-ghABEDT41Bw-unsplash-1024x307.webp\" alt=\"OSS origins BJJ\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several possible origins of the phrase OSS in Jiu Jitsu. Let\u2019s break them down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shortform of Onegai Shimasu<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Onegai Shimasu is a Japanese phrase which is used as a form of greeting to invite someone to play a game. The shortform of this phrase is OSU, which is pronounced OSS. Therefore, the spelling was adapted to fit the pronunciation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apparently, the term OSU doesn\u2019t have its roots in martial arts but was a greeting used between members of the Japanese Navy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Onegai Shimasu is used in Japanese martial arts Dojos to start the class, express respect and ask for the partitioners approval to continue. On the other hand, Otsukaresama Deshita is the expression used to end the class. The shortforms are OSU and TSUKARE, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Oshi Shinobu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>OSS can also be explained as an expression for chanting inner strength. The Samurai used it to gather strength leading up to combat. Additionally, it was used during the attack and for celebrating victory and mourning defeat. Therefore, it encompasses three meanings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kyokushin Karate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Practitioner of Kyokushin Karate use the phrase OSU to express resilience and motivate themselves to do their best and keep pushing, no matter what. It is the shortform of \u201cosu no seishin\u201d which consists of the Japanese Kanji for \u201cpush\u201d and \u201csuffer\u201d. Therefore, the phrase OSS or OSU unifies both aspects in one word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Good Morning Theory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This theory suggests that the term OSU and finally OSS has its origins in the Japanese morning greeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Japanese linguistic Professor conducted a study that consisted of him greeting strangers every morning and noting the responses. He found that most adult men used a short form when greeting each other to save time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This shortform of the Japanese good morning greeting was OSU, which later found its way to Jiu Jitsu as OSS since most BJJ practitioners are adult men.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_257973-14 .kt-block-spacer{height:50px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_257973-14 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-_257973-14\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who brought OSS to Jiu Jitsu?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"952\" height=\"285\" src=\"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/carlos-gracie2.webp\" alt=\"Carlos Gracie\" class=\"wp-image-1162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/carlos-gracie2.webp 952w, https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/carlos-gracie2-300x90.webp 300w, https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/carlos-gracie2-768x230.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 952px) 100vw, 952px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Apparently, the first person to establish the word OSS in Jiu Jitsu is Carlos Gracie Sr. He learned from Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese Judoka, which explains why he would start using a Japanese phrase in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nevertheless, OSS is not the only phrase we owe him as there are many great quotes that are dated back to Carlos Gracie. Check out our collection of <a href=\"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/bjj-quotes\/\"><strong>BJJ Quotes<\/strong><\/a> for some great ones.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_951b8e-dd .kt-block-spacer{height:50px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_951b8e-dd .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-_951b8e-dd\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Should you use OSS if you are new to Jiu Jitsu?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As a Jiu Jitsu beginner you should simply focus on being respectful, making friends and doing your best in class. Don\u2019t worry about terminology, you will grow into it. On top of that, everybody has their own way of living, talking, and interacting with others. Your attitude is what matters. Remember, you also don\u2019t have to speak Portuguese in class just because it\u2019s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. People care more about how something is said and what it conveys than what is actually said.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_0443e6-50 .kt-block-spacer{height:50px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_0443e6-50 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-_0443e6-50\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">OSS in the Military<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"306\" src=\"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/filip-andrejevic-1LTunOck3es-unsplash-1024x306.webp\" alt=\"BJJ in the military\" class=\"wp-image-1163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/filip-andrejevic-1LTunOck3es-unsplash-1024x306.webp 1024w, https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/filip-andrejevic-1LTunOck3es-unsplash-300x90.webp 300w, https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/filip-andrejevic-1LTunOck3es-unsplash-768x230.webp 768w, https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/filip-andrejevic-1LTunOck3es-unsplash-1536x460.webp 1536w, https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/filip-andrejevic-1LTunOck3es-unsplash-2048x613.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As explained above, OSS is a way to say \u201cyes\u201d and express agreement. Therefore, it was used by the Samurai in Japan to express unity and motivate each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is comparable to the phrase \u201cOOH-RAH\u201d that is commonly used by U.S. Marines as well as \u201cHOOAH\u201d used by the U.S Army and \u201cHOOYAH\u201d used by the U.S Navy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nevertheless, that is not the only thing that connects Jiu Jitsu to the military. Jiu Jitsu techniques are use by military groups around the world today as they are great means for attack and self defense. We wrote an in-depth article analyzing <a href=\"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/jiu-jitsu-for-self-defense\/\"><strong>Jiu Jitsu&#8217;s self defense capabilities<\/strong><\/a>. Check it out if you are interested.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_09f507-e3 .kt-block-spacer{height:50px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_09f507-e3 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-_09f507-e3\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is OSS overused in BJJ?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In our opinion OSS is not overused in BJJ as long as you keep it in the gym. On the one hand it is a greeting and on the other hand it is an expression of respect that aims to provide motivation and strength. It has no negative connotation and is therefore rightfully used so commonly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Using OSS outside the gym<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Maybe it\u2019s not the best idea to shout OSS to people that are not into Jiu Jitsu. They will not understand the meaning and will probably feel disrespected. This goes against everything the term stands for and won\u2019t make you any friends. Enjoy the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle on the mats and with your friends and teammates but don\u2019t try to force it upon anybody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That one guy that uses specific terminology all day long and can\u2019t keep their mouth shut has become a meme and everybody seems to know him. Don\u2019t be that guy. But he\u2019s not the only meme of Jiu Jitsu. Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/bjj-memes\/\"><strong>BJJ Meme<\/strong><\/a> collection if you want to see more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">OSS!<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_dbeb30-9b .kt-block-spacer{height:50px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_dbeb30-9b .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-_dbeb30-9b\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>OSS BJJ: Learn about the Meaning of OSS in Jiu Jitsu and where this popular phrase originated as it is a part of Jiu Jitsu&#8217;s culture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1160,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1158"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1158"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1158\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2985,"href":"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1158\/revisions\/2985"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1160"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bjjdivision.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}