Reiki lineages: Gakkai, Inamoto and why Dai Ko Myo is in the Bujinkan
When a master says “I am in a direct line from Usui” — what does this mean in practice?We compare the lines of eight real masters, analyze the difference between the Gakkai and the Hyashi branch, and explain why Dai Ko Myo is found in both Reiki and Bujinkan.
1. Transmission Line Comparison Table
Not all transmission lines are equal.The key difference is whether the branch goes through documented Usui disciples or through historically disputed links.
| Master | Transmission line | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hyakuten Inamoto | Usui → Hayashi Chujiro → Chiyoko Yamaguchi → Inamoto | ✅ Confirmed line via Hayashi branch |
| Arina Kazanskaya | Usui → Hayashi → Yamaguchi → Inamoto → Kazanskaya | ✅ One of the few in the Russian Federation with a direct connection to Inamoto |
| Ma Atma Ruchira | Usui → Suzuki San → Chris Marsh → Taggart King → Karaush → Zhiva → Atma Ruchira | ⚠️Chris Marsh branch is historically disputed |
| Veronica Krainova | … → Atma Ruchira → Krainova | Clinical psychologist, reiki — additional activity |
| Ilona Amari | … → Atma Ruchira → Krainova → Ilona Amari | Transferred the 3rd stage to Dobrovolskaya;minimal data |
| Olesya Dobrovolskaya | … → Krainova (1st–2nd grade) → Ilona Amari (3rd grade) → Dobrovolskaya | ⚠️ The entire thread via Chris Marsh is a dubious start to the chain |
| Olga Nosikova | “Japanese tradition with a short line” – does not publicly disclose specific names | Psychologist, healer, Moscow region.The line is opaque |
| Mikhail Moshenkov | “7th spiritual lineage of the Japanese tradition” — the specific chain is not disclosed | ✅ School of Light Reiki, Latvia.There is an international presence |
Key Difference:the lines through Inamoto (Hayashi/Yamaguchi) and through Atma Ruchiru (Chris Marsh) are fundamentally different branches.The line through Yamaguchi is documented.The line through Chris Marsh is disputed by researchers: he claimed to have studied with 107-year-old student Usui — this story has not been verified.
2. Arina Kazanskaya: what does a straight line through Inamoto mean?
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Status | Reiki master teacher since 2008 |
| Systems | Usui Reiki, Karuna Ki, Kundalini Reiki |
| Line | Direct initiation from Hyakuten Inamoto (4th generation from Mikao Usui) |
| Scale | ~1,500 students and 28 instructors in Russia, the CIS, and abroad |
| Additionally | Regressive hypnosis, systemic constellations, “magic theater”, sales coaching |
| Profile | samopoznanie.ru |
Direct initiation from Inamoto is rare for the Russian market.Most domestic masters received reiki through intermediaries of the western branch.At the same time, it is important to separate: the Reiki transmission line and additional practices (hypnosis, constellations, coaching) are different things.Having a strong line does not automatically make all products offered equal.
3. Reiki Ryoho Gakkai: closed society and the Inamoto lineage
«Gakkai» is a common word in descriptions of reiki schools.Let’s figure out what it really is.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is Gakkai? | Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai is a closed society founded by Usui’s students in 1922.Exists to this day in Tokyo |
| Who is in the Gakkai? | Only Japanese.Foreigners are not accepted.They hardly disclose information about themselves — a semi-closed society |
| Inamoto Line | Goes through Hayashi Chujiro, a student of Usui, wholeft the Gakkaiand founded his own reiki clinic.It is a separate branch, initially independent from the Gakkai |
| Why isn’t Inamoto in the Gakkai? | The Gakkai is physically closed to non-Japanese people.Even if Inamoto had wanted to, he would not have been accepted as a foreign teacher.He created Komyo Reiki Kai in 1998 on his own |
| What does «Komyo» mean? | 光明 (kōmyō) = «Great Light/Enlightenment» is the same word that forms part of the symbol of the reiki master Dai Ko Myō (大光明).The name of the system bears a direct reference to this concept |
| Renaming 2016 | Komyo Reiki Kai →Komyo ReikiDo— emphasis shifted from “healing” to “spiritual path” (道, dō = path) |
Important fact:Inamotois notI have never been a member of the Gakkai.References to the Gakkai in descriptions of schools operating through the Inamoto line are technically incorrect.
4. Dai Ko Myo in Reiki and Bujinkan: a common source
One of the most interesting facts about reiki is that the symbol of the master Dai Ko Myo (大光明) is found not only in reiki.It is also found in Bujinkan, a Japanese martial art.Why?
To the Bujinkan
Before each workout, say the mantra:
Shikin haramitsu daikōmyō (詞韻波羅蜜大光明)
“Every movement, every moment brings the possibility of enlightenment - a great light”This phrase was transmitted to the founder of the Bujinkan, Masaaki Hatsumi, through the teacher Takamatsu Toshitsugu, who received it from his father-in-law —priest of the Shingon school.Source: Japanese Esoteric Buddhism (真言宗).
In reiki
The Master Symbol 大光明 (Dai Ko Myo) is also translated: “Great Light/Great Enlightenment.”Usui practiced Buddhism and received his revelation at Mount Kurama, a site associated with tantric and esoteric Buddhism.
| Reiki | Bujinkan | |
|---|---|---|
| Source of the term | Japanese Esoteric Buddhism (Shingon/Tendai) | Japanese Esoteric Buddhism Shingon |
| Hieroglyphs | 大光明 | 大光明 |
| Meaning | Great Light, enlightenment, higher consciousness | Enlightenment through every moment of practice |
| Usage | Master symbol, activation of higher energy | Mantra intention before every workout |
| How transferred | Usui → reiki masters | Takamatsu ← Shingon priest → Hatsumi |
Conclusion:大光明 is an ancient Buddhist term used independently in several Japanese traditions.Reiki and Bujinkan draw from the same well — Japanese esoteric Buddhism — but do not borrow directly from each other.This is an example of how one spiritual concept permeates different Japanese practices through the Buddhist substratum of culture.
5. Why Inamoto created Komyo ReikiDo rather than joining the Gakkai
- Gakkai is unavailable:closed Japanese society, accepts only Japanese members, does not teach foreigners, does not publish materials
- Another line:Inamoto studied with Yamaguchi, whose lineage comes from Hayashi, a master who emerged from the Gakkai back in the 1930s
- Ideological difference:The Gakkai emphasizes healing and healing.Inamoto called his system «Do» (path, 道) — an emphasis on spiritual development, not just healing
- The word «Komyo»:deliberately chosen — 光明 (“enlightenment, light”) echoes Dai Ko Myo, emphasizing the spiritual orientation of the system
- Independence:as a Buddhist monk of the Jodo-shu school, Inamoto has his own institutional base and does not need membership in a lay association
What does this mean for school choice?
Transmission line is one of the factors in evaluating a school, but not the only one and not the decisive one.Here’s how to use this information practically:
- Ask the master about the line— specific names, not just “Japanese tradition”.The opacity of the line itself is informative.
- Check the key links— especially the first three after Usui.Yamaguchi/Hayashi — documented.Suzuki Sun/Chris Marsh — historically disputed.
- Gakkai ≠ quality guarantee— closed Japanese society is physically inaccessible to foreigners.If the school refers to a connection with the Gakkai, clarify exactly how.
- Line ≠ quality of teaching— a documented strong line does not guarantee good teaching, and vice versa.
- Author’s add-ons separately— Luxury Reiki, Bija Reiki, Tantra Reiki are not part of any historical lineage, no matter what lineage the main master has.
Sources
- Arina Kazanskaya – samopoznanie.ru
- Inamoto Sensei – Komyo ReikiDo International
- Komyo ReikiDo line (Russian site)
- Olga Nosikova – psyhealing.ru
- Shikin haramitsu daikōmyō — analysis
- Bujinkan — Wikipedia
- Dai Ko Myo — reiki.info
- What Is Usui Reiki Ryoho?— Reiki in Medicine
The material was prepared based on the results of web research.Part 6 of the report.Source date: 2026-06-15.