A Historical Timeline of the Komyo ReikiDo & Jikiden Reiki Systems

There has been ongoing confusion regarding the Komyo ReikiDo and Jikiden Reiki systems, particularly concerning their origins, dates of formation, and subsequent development. Although both systems have historical connections through Chiyoko Yamaguchi Sensei, they developed independently and have different philosophies, curricula, and areas of emphasis.

 

It is also important to recognise that the informal Reiki teachings Chiyoko Yamaguchi shared in 1997 and 1998 with Hyakuten Inamoto, differed from the structured curriculum that later became Jikiden Reiki.

 

The following timeline provides an overview of the historical development of both systems.

 

1997

Hyakuten Inamoto began training with Chiyoko Yamaguchi, who taught the Reiki she remembered from her training with Chujiro Hayashi Sensei. Weekly gatherings included a simple hands-on practice and Reiju but did not follow a formal curriculum. There were no manuals, no structured history lessons, no level system, and only three symbols existed.

After approximately six months of training, Chiyoko Yamaguchi trained Hyakuten Inamoto to conduct Reiju.

 

At that time, Chiyoko Yamaguchi did not have knowledge of Reiki history or of Mikao Usui, the founder of Usui Reiki Ryōhō.

 

1998
Following independent research into Reiki history, Mikao Usui, and his practices, Hyakuten Inamoto founded Komyo Reiki Kai.

 

From its inception, the system emphasised Seishin Shuyō (spiritual cultivation) alongside traditional practices associated with Usui Sensei, while also incorporating insights from Inamoto Sensei's own experience and research.

 

1999
Chiyoko Yamaguchi Sensei requested Hyakuten Inamoto to help her son, Tadao Yamaguchi, with the newly formed Jikiden Reiki.

 

The initial classes included Hiroshi Doi, founder of Gendai Reiki Ho and an advisor to Jikiden Reiki. He was the first official student of Jikiden Reiki and attended with five of his own students. Hyakuten Inamoto became the seventh student in the Jikiden Reiki lineage.

 

Hyakuten Inamoto subsequently served as a translator for classes attended by foreign students for a year. One such class included Reiki Master William L. Rand and his students from the United States. After one year, the Yamaguchi’s and Hyakuten Inamoto went their separate ways.

 

Jikiden Reiki placed its primary focus on the treatment of physical health conditions.

 

2000
Frank Arjava Petter met Chiyoko Yamaguchi and began training in Jikiden Reiki. He became a Jikiden Shihan in 2002 and was appointed Vice-President in 2003. He has since resigned from the Vice-Presidency and now teaches his own system, Arjava Reiki: Arjava meaning “authentic.” This information has been confirmed by Frank Arjava Petter himself.

 

Note: Hyakuten Inamoto Sensei has never met Frank Arjava Petter.

 

Komyo ReikiDo & Jikiden Reiki Symbols

It is worth noting that many Reiki systems worldwide use different symbols yet continue to achieve effective results in practice.

 

Today, both Komyo ReikiDo and Jikiden Reiki use four symbols.

 

The first three symbols are the same in both systems. However, during Hyakuten Inamoto's original training with Chiyoko Yamaguchi in 1997, only three symbols were known.

 

Jikiden Reiki later incorporated a fourth symbol, believed to be used during Reiju. Its historical origin has not been publicly documented.

 

The fourth symbol in Komyo ReikiDo is DKM (an abbreviation of a symbol used in the higher Reiki levels and not openly discussed in detail). This symbol is the same as the fourth symbol in the Takata lineage. A Reiki lineage is like a family tree of teachers, tracing the line of teaching back to the founder Usui Mikao.

 

Hawayo Takata Sensei, who later introduced Reiki to the west, lived with family of Chujiro Hayashi Sensei for over a year. During this time, she worked in Hayashi Sensei’s clinic and became a Shinpiden (teaching level) student.

 

It is believed that Takata Sensei learned about DKM from Hayashi Sensei. However, it is not clear when DKM changed from being a possible spiritual concept or ideal into a formal Reiki symbol.

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Nentatsu (念達)

Nentatsu translates literally to "sending" or "delivering to the mind." Within a healing context, it is a method used to instill a positive thought, or affirmation into the subconscious of the recipient. There are traditional techniques that use Nentatsu, such as Seiheki Chiryo Ho (Habits Treatment Method), but it is also used in Reiki treatments without the formality of these techniques. Komyo ReikiDo uses both the informal and formal techniques in treatments of others.

 

Jikiden uses a specific formal prayer that did not originate in Reiki but was integrated from a Japanese religion called Johrei.

 

Authenticity and Tradition

Komyo ReikiDo is an authentic Japanese Reiki system, but it does not claim to be a “traditional” system in the sense of being completely unchanged since Mikao Usui Sensei’s time. Mikao Usui was the founder of Usui Reiki Ryoho and the father of all Reiki systems.

 

The word traditional would mean a system passed down exactly as Usui Sensei taught it. However, Usui Sensei’s original curriculum and symbols are not fully known, so no modern Reiki system can say with certainty that it represents his teachings exactly as they were.

 

Komyo ReikiDo does not present itself as a traditional Reiki system. Inamoto Sensei has consistently described Komyo ReikiDo as Hayashi Shiki (Hayashi-style) Reiki Ryoho. Chujiro Hayashi Sensei, the last student of Usui Sensei, made changes to Usui Sensei’s Reiki system. Any lineage through Hayashi Sensei is considered as a Hayashi Shiki (Hayashi-style) Reiki Ryoho, not Usui Reiki Ryoho.

 

Komyo ReikiDo Philosophy

Komyo ReikiDo is fundamentally based on Mikao Usui Sensei’s description of his Usui Reiki Ryoho, as spiritual training or Seishin Shuyo, 精神修養.

 

Since its inception in 1998, Komyo ReikiDo has placed a strong emphasis on spiritual cultivation to achieve ‘Right mind’ or correct mindful perception, leading to a more peaceful life. While spiritual development is central to Komyo ReikiDo, the system also incorporates hands-on practice and other traditional Reiki methods that can be traced back to the time of Usui Sensei.

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Authenticity and Tradition

Komyo ReikiDo is an authentic Japanese Reiki system, but it does not claim to be a “traditional” system in the sense of being completely unchanged since Usui Sensei’s time.

 

The word traditional would imply a system passed down exactly as Usui Sensei taught it. However, Usui Sensei’s original curriculum and symbols are not fully known, so no modern Reiki system can say with certainty that it represents his teachings exactly as they were and call itself Usui Reiki Ryoho.

 

Consequently, from a historical perspective, any lineage descending through Hayashi Sensei may reasonably be regarded as a Hayashi-style (Hayashi Shiki Reiki Ryoho) Reiki system rather than a direct continuation of Usui Reiki Ryōhō in its original form.

 

To be clear, when a Japanese Reiki teacher modifies their Reiki teacher's system, they call it by a different name to distinguish it from their teacher's. This is illustrated by Hayashi Sensei naming his organisation Hayashi Reiki Kenkyu Kai rather than Usui Reiki Ryōhō.

 

Similarly, the name Komyo ReikiDo indicates that the system has developed beyond its historical roots while acknowledging its lineage.

 

Jikiden Reiki likewise represents an independent reconstruction based upon the teachings remembered by Chiyoko Yamaguchi together with subsequent historical research undertaken by Tadao Yamaguchi.

Relationship to Jikiden Reiki

Komyo ReikiDo and Jikiden Reiki are separate Reiki systems that share historical connections through Chiyoko Yamaguchi but differ in philosophy, structure, and emphasis.

 

Komyo Reiki Kai (renamed Komyo ReikiDo in 2016) was established in 1998. Jikiden Reiki followed in 1999.

 

Although both systems trace part of their heritage to Chiyoko Yamaguchi, each has evolved independently and differs considerably from the informal teachings she shared during 1997 and 1998 with Hyakuten Inamoto.

 

Respect for all Reiki systems

Komyo ReikiDo does not see its lineage as better or worse than other Reiki systems. Different systems offer different ways to learn and practise Reiki Ryoho, the art of Reiki healing.

 

While lineage may be important to some Reiki practitioners and teachers, what matters most is how a Reiki system resonates with the individual. All Reiki systems, each offering their own perspective, can support healing for oneself and others — and that is the fundamental purpose of Reiki.

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