Japanese style certification

In the last post, I wrote about Iemoto system for Japanese traditional art.


I was thinking back about the time when I was learning Sado (Tea Ceremony), 
and dug out few certificates that were given by my Sado teacher.



Back then when I received these certificates, it was sort of "normal" to 
receive it in this traditional way.   


I failed to see its beauty then, but as I am looking at the Japanese culture 
from outside of Japan, now I realize that the Japanese traditional way to give 
a certificate is just so beautiful and also meaningful !!! 



So,,, here are the certificates that I received from my Sado teacher.

***I asked my Sado teacher if I can show my certificates to the people who are enjoying 

    my Reiki writing and she gave me a permission. 

    

From right, Nyumon certificate (entering level), Konarai certificate (beginner level), Chuden certificate (middle level), then Chabako certificate (tea ceremony set in a carry box --- well, put simply, a picnic tea ceremony).

 Each certificate is wrapped in a Japanese washi paper.

Unwrap the wrapping, and you will find a folded certificate.

Everything is beautifully hand calligraphied on washi paper.
Here are what's written in this certificate above.
From the right
     Certificate of entering level

     We have recognized that you have been learning Tea Ceremony

     with passion and earnestness, and here we certify you as a Entering Level

     Tea Ceremony practitioner. (something like that in old Japanese writing)

     Dai Nippon Chado Gakkai Honbu (Head of Japan Association of the Tea Ceremony)
     Founder Sen-ou Tanaka
     Date Heisei 8th year (1996), February, Good day
     Issued to Ms. Mari Okazaki


I am sure that Jikiden Reiki followers have noticed that there is a definite similarity in this beautiful way of giving certificates. 

    -The soft, strong, beautiful, creamy coloured Japanese washi paper.
    -Hand calligraphy with properly ground ink-cake.
    -Orangy red colour stamps 
    -Thin papers to prevent from the stamp ink to transfer
    -Folded in few section
    -Issued and mailed from the head office to teachers, and teachers give to the student

I would say Jikiden Reiki isn't JUST a Reiki school, but it has the Japanese culture deeply woven into the Reiki teaching. That's what I really like about ... 

  Although, usually, a certificate is just a paper work that recognize that one     

  accomplished the certain level of practice. Beautiful certificate doesn't make 

  you a better person and it doesn't mean that one can't practice without 

  the certificate. 

   However, I think it is wonderful to receive a certificate in this beautiful  

   and respectful manner.... It shows the teachers respect to the students and their

   commitment to the teaching by spending extra effort to the each process.    

   Because of this respect in the each process, the spirit and the passion of the 

   teaching in both teachers and students can be a long lasting , if not, forever.... 

   I think...

By the way,,,,
The Tea Ceremony style that I had learned called 

Dai Nippon Chado Gakkai (Japan Association of the Tea Ceremony). 

There are many schools of Sado, but this particular school is a very innovative and open minded school. Unlikely the strict style with Iemoto system which often see in the Sado world, this school is one of the only Sado school which is very open to the public to be more accessible to Japanese people without being restricted. They believe that Japanese people need to have better access to the Sado culture, and learn the true Japanese spirit through the Sado. 

They have 5C mottos as a Chajin (tea ceremony practitioner) and teach the practitioners to bring this motto to the daily life.  

   1. Courtesy - Be sincere and polite in any situation as a Chajin.
   2. Cooperation - Be willing to work as a team with Chajin spirits.
   3. Communication - Keep smiling, listen and answer with heart.
   4. Challenge - Be creative, and don't be afraid of the challenge.
   5. Cultivation - Always aim to the one step forward, and polish ourselves.


We as Reiki lovers are taught to live with the five principle in daily life.

   Just for today  
   Do not be angry 
   Do not worry
   Be grateful
   Do your duties fully
   Be kind to others




These 10 teachings between Sado and Reiki have such a important essence 
to be a good human being! 

Well, I shall do my BEST ! 

Is Jikiden Reiki exclusive or thorough ?

Sometime, I see a comment about the Jikiden Reiki like this,,, 


"Jikiden Reiki can be exclusive, because everyone has to learn from Shoden (Level 1) class even the Reiki Masters with 20 years of experience if they want to learn with
Jikiden Reiki." 


It is true that experienced Reiki practitioners can't just jump in to take the Shihankaku course (teacher course) without learning Jikiden Reiki Shoden & Okuden (Level 1 & 2) courses. 
 
But I don't see it as "exclusive", but it is rather "thorough", if I may put in a better word.


There is a Japanese culture called "Iemoto" (ee-eh-moh-toh) system. "Iemoto" means the head of a school, top authority, top leader or a grand master. Teachers teach the way they were taught by Iemoto, and the students practice only the way they were taught.  This established custom is deeply absorbed into Japanese people, so we see the similar way of teaching not only in the traditional art (Sado-tea ceremony, Kado-flower arrangement, Shodo-calligraphy, traditional music etc), but also in modern music, and even in sports training.



Iemoto system is varied between the each teaching, so it is hard to say what is the regulation as Iemoto system. But there are some similarities in each school.


1. Keep the teaching the way you were taught.
2. Iemoto as a top authority and operate the teaching.
3. Iemoto has the authority to issue certificates.
4. Iemoto's life is unseparatable from his private life.
5. Without the long dedicated practice, one can not be a teacher.
6. There is only one Iemoto in each school.



I see the Iemoto system in Japanese Reiki teaching as well. As much as I know, only traditional Reiki school exist in Japan are Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai and Jikiden Reiki Institute. "Traditional" doesn't necessary mean better than other, but it is simply kept the same way in the original teaching.  Those Reiki schools described above don't call the founder as a "Iemoto", but I can see it is natural to adopt the Iemoto system in those Reiki schools, because Usui Reiki Ryoho is an old Japanese healing art. 


When Mr.Usui was teaching Reiki, he was the only one who could issue certificates in Usui Reiki Ryoho(Ryoho means treatment technique).


I see the same way in Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai. There is always one president and I am sure the president is the only one who can issue the certificates in Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai where they are teaching Usui Reiki Ryoho.


When Mr.Hayashi was teaching, it was the same way as well.  Mr.Hayashi was the only one who could issued the certificates in Hayashi Reiki Kenkyukai where he was teaching Usui Reiki Ryoho. 


It is natural for Jikiden Reiki Institute to operate this Reiki school with the Iemoto style, because of its pure Japanese background. 
Tadao Yamaguchi (The founder of Jikiden Reiki Institute) has been teaching Reiki as the same way that his mother, Chiyoko Yamaguchi, had been teaching, he is the only top leader and operating Jikiden Reiki Institute, he has the authority to issue the certificates, and his life can not be separated from his life. Teachers must have a long dedicated practice hours to be able to take the teacher class.  Its naturally falls into Iemoto style. 
Yamaguchi family didn't have any connection with different cultures, so there was simply no opportunity to change its teaching style. Thus Reiki in Yamaguchi's family has been kept as original as it could be. 

This is one of the reason that I feel at home with Jikiden Reiki, simply because I am a Japanese.

Although, as a Japanese who lives in Canada, I can see Iemoto system can be too strict and inflexible to fit in this western culture. Iemoto system is great for keeping the traditional style and holding the regulation, but on the other side, it might prevent from being creative and improving.  I can see the benefits and predicaments in both cultures. 


I see the importance in the Western culture to be creative and continue to experiment something new to get the best out of the individuals. I see the importance in the Japanese culture to keep the way it was taught when it comes to the traditional teaching, creativities are allowed only within the teaching. 



Whether Reiki is creatively evolved or kept traditional, both are a healing modality to help oneself and each other, and that is much needed skills in this world...



That's all that matters, doesn't it?