If you are looking for accurate information on Reiki Grandmaster Misconceptions, this post aims to clarify them for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
Greetings All,
Last night, in our weekly discussion, we talked about Reiki, the concept of a grand master, and the misconceptions surrounding the concept. I discovered, quite frankly, I was wrong.
This is why it’s important to address the Reiki Grand Master Misconception. When I first started Reiki, I learned that there was a succession of grand masters, and it started with Mikao Usui himself. It couldn’t have been more wrong. I was told that there are no Grand Masters, that the term was used to “Westernize” Reiki to fit Western societies views, not the views of the organization it originated from. I decided to find out for myself.
In my research, I learned that in Japan there is no such thing as a Grand Master of Reiki. There has been a line of succession of more presidential figures of the organization rather than what we in the Western world call “grand masters.” Grand master is a term used in the Western world, and it is not one used in Japan. Quite frankly, according to my research, Japan could care less what we call ourselves or even what we do. It has nothing to do with what they do.
What started the discussion was one of the members had discovered that there are individuals out there offering a certification as a Reiki Grand Master. I now know that it doesn’t exist. Check out the article by Frank Arjava Petter, “Reiki, Who is in Charge?.” He clearly defines and lay’s out the leadership of the organization. He states, “The titles “Grandmaster” or “Lineage Bearer” were not and are not in use in the Usui Shiki Ryoho or Usui Kai as it is now called. Consequently this title was never passed on to Mr. Chujiro Hayashi as is currently believed in the west. The only successor to Usui Sensei was Mr. Ushida in 1926. Mr. Hayashi was one of many respected disciples of Usui-Sensi, but not more and not less than that. In the old days disciples like Mr. Hayashi who were granted the teacher status by the president often had their own disciples. This is why there are so many different Reiki streams flowing all over Japan. However there is no question about Ms. Kimiko Koyama’s leadership today.” (Petter, 2026).
For all of those out there who are attempting to further the training for Reiki Masters, please consider calling it “Continuing Education” or maybe the specific topic you are teaching.
If someone is trying to sell you a certificate for Grand Master, I would decline if I were you. The only way someone can become a grand master of anything is to actively put in the years of training, teaching, organizing, and spending the time that it takes to improve an organization, to make them a grand master of that organization. Usui Reiki Ryoho is not that kind of organization. The teachings I studied were Westernized, and, as a good martial artist and someone who has studied Japanese culture, I must honor that what comes out of Japan is the proper stance on this.
I believe Reiki Masters should pursue continuing education, and for years I supported my students through Reiki shares and Reiki circles.
Please, dear ones, do not feed the fuel of this clearly ego-stroking, money making, trend.
Many Blessings,
Jennifer Morris, Reiki Master, Shihan Ju-Jitsu, and Herder of Cats.
References:
Petter, Frank Arjava, “Reiki, Who is in Charge?,” reviewed by J. Morris 5/19/2026 at: https://www.reiki.org/articles/reiki-who-charge
An example of a Western organization that has one person titled as the grandmaster of their organization. https://www.reikiassociation.org.uk/office-of-the-grand-master/
Thank you to Rich Bertram for bringing this to my attention and your wisdom and guidance.