Free Online Martial Arts Dictionary O

O 大
Japanese
"Great / Huge / Big"
The term O is used as a prefix to Japanese items and titles, for example O-Naginata translates as "Huge Naginata"

OBI 帯
Japanese
"Sash / Belt"
The term Obi is used to generalise the myriad forms of sashes used in main to hold closed the folds of a Kimono.

OBNU BILATE
African
The term Obnu Bilate is the name of a South African martial art founded in the 1960s by a man named "Pappa" Nat Whylch. A combination of native Obnu and Savate learnt from Dutch missionaries, Obnu Bilate combines empty hand striking methods, with grappling and sword and stick techniques. During Apartheid some black South African resistance movements used the art against the ruling white Minority Government and as a direct result of this the art was outlawed during the 1970s. Officially the Municipal Government of Johannesburg declared the art dead following its founders death during the mid 1990s.

ONI 鬼
Japanese
"Demon / Devil / Ogre / Troll"
The term Oni is used to describe a number of Japanese mythological monsters commonly depicted as gigantic humanoids with hideous features, horns, claws, odd numbers of eyes, brightly coloured skin and wild unkempt hair. Oni are frequently depicted in loin cloths made from Tiger skin and carrying spiked metal club. In fact the phrase Oni Ni Kanabo "A Demon With A spiked Club" meaning that the individual has become invincible.

ONI 鬼
Chinese
"Ghost / Devil / Monster"
The term Oni is used throughout China as a generalised name for any frightfull ghost or supernatural creature.

ONI NI KANABO 鬼に金棒
Japanese
"A Demon With A Spiked Club"
The phrase Oni Ni Kanabo is used in reference to an individual who has become invincible. It can also be used to describe "Overkill" or "One who has become excessively powerful my means of an item", in the sense that a gigantic demon ogre has little need for a spiked iron club.

ONNA BUGEISHA 女武芸者
Japanese
"Noble Warrior Woman / Woman Of Hands / Female Samurai"
The term Onna Bugeisha is somewhat of a misnomer in that it compounds both masculine and feminine terms. The Onna Bugeisha were members of the Bushi social caste and being Daughters, Sisters, Mothers and Wives of Samurai were trained to protect their households, families and honour during times of war. During times of extreme social conflict some Onna Bugeisha even responded to the call to battle and openly fought alongside the male members of their family or in small all female units. Just like numerous schoolgirls practicing Naginatado throughout Japan today, the main weapon of the Onna Bugeisha was the Naginata, a deadly glaive that allowed the smaller women to match themselves equaly against much larger armoured opponents.

Some of the greatest Onna Bugeisha were individuals such as Tomoe Gozen, Hojo Masako, Nakano Takeko and the great Empress Jingu.

OSHI 押
Japanese
"Push / Pushing / Pressure"

OSHIGATA 捺す or 押す
Japanese
"Seal / Rubbings / Tang Translation / Tang Rubbing"
The term Oshigata is used to describe the ink rubbings used in the identification and classification of Nihonto. A piece of soft and very thin paper is laid across the surface and a rubbing is made capturing all of the shape, texture and details. Patterns within the blade such as the Hamon and the Hada are then added with a fine pencil. Before the advent of photography the details of almost all Nihonto were recorded in this way for the reference of future generations.

OSU 押忍
Japanese
"Appreciation / Determination / Respect /Patience / Perseverance"
The term Osu is mainly used within the Martial Art of Kyokushin Karate and is used in a multitude of different situations. The term Osu is a combination of the words Oshi and Shinobu, which when combined mean to push forward and endure. Osu is used as a greeting between fellow Kyokushinka, as a replacement for terms like "Yes" or "I understand" or "I agree" as well as a mark of respect when an opponent lands a solid technique upon you.

OTLACHIMALLI
Aztec
"Maize Cane Shield"
The term Otlachimalli is used to describe all styles of Chimalli shield that are constructed from Maize Cane.

O-YOROI 大鎧
Japanese
"Great Armour"
An archaic style of Yoroi characterised by its rather bulky box like construction. The O-Yoroi first became popular during the 10th century AD and was the favoured armour of wealthy warriors. Many of the features of the O-Yoroi were designed to allow a warrior to shoot a bow from either a mounted or standing position, but limited the wearers hand to hand movement. The O-Yoroi largely fell out of favour during the 15th Century AD due to its expensive construction methods and the reduced role of the archer in Japanese warfare. Although somewhat outdated when compared to other armours like the Domaru and Haramaki, the O-Yoroi remained popular as a symbol of status amongst the Samurai elite up until the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate.