Kuji Kiri 九字切り literally means "cutting the nine characters." A lot of people know the hand signs from anime and manga, where they show up as dramatic gestures. Behind them is a real spiritual tradition, and in Shingon Reiki, Kuji Kiri is a master path of its own with nine levels. In this article I'll explain where Kuji Kiri comes from, what the nine characters mean and how the path is built.

Mudra Zen · Kuji Kiri completion
Zen · the ninth Kuji Kiri seal

Where Kuji Kiri comes from 起源

The earliest sources on the nine characters come from China. From there they reached Japan in several waves over the centuries, through Japan's exchange with China. In Japan they were developed over more centuries into a system that exists only there. Put simply, Japanese Kuji Kiri is a blend of Daoism, Japanese folk magic and the esoteric Buddhism of Shingon (mikkyō). The mountain ascetics of Shugendō, the yamabushi, played a big part in this, and Shintō left its mark as well.

The ninja were in close contact with the yamabushi, and that's how Kuji Kiri became part of their tradition too. It's the reason it's so closely tied to the image of the ninja today. In my research I've spent a lot of time on these roots, and as the successor of Grandmaster Taguchi in the Taguchi lineage of ninjutsu I also know the martial side from my own practice.

The nine characters 九字

In their Japanese form the nine characters are 臨兵闘者皆陣列在前, pronounced rin, pyō, tō, sha, kai, jin, retsu, zai, zen. Each character has its own mudra, its own mantra and its own quality. Each also has protective deities, for example Bishamonten or Fudō Myōō, the Immovable Wisdom King. The qualities can be described roughly like this:

These names sound a bit like superpowers. What they really mean is the development of perception and inner strength that you find in many spiritual traditions: presence, intuition, compassion and focus. There's one more point I want to make, because it's often presented the wrong way. The nine levels of the master path do not each correspond to one of these characters. From the second level on, all nine characters are part of the practice, and every level adds a new layer to them.

The three mysteries 三密

As in all of esoteric Buddhism, Kuji Kiri works through the three mysteries, sanmitsu 三密 in Japanese: the body with the mudra, speech with the mantra and the mind with inner imagery. Only when all three come together does the practice show its power. That's why Kuji Kiri can't simply be picked up from a book or a video. The practice begins with an initiation and grows with guidance.

Mudra Tō · Kuji Kiri
Tō · the third seal on the Master Path

How the master path is built 道の構造

The Kuji Kiri master path doesn't start with the hand signs. It starts with the foundation, and then something new comes in at each level. Here's an overview of what you experience along the way:

Between the levels there's practice, and that's where what you've heard about grows into your own experience. How the mudras, mantras and rituals are practiced in detail belongs to the initiations, the live events and the community.

Kuji Kiri and Shingon Reiki 一つの道

In Shingon Reiki, Kuji Kiri and Reiki are two sides of the same path. Both draw on esoteric Buddhism, Shugendō, Shintō and shamanic Daoism, and both work with mudras, mantras and inner imagery. So they complement each other beautifully. You don't need any prior experience to start with Kuji Kiri. What draws you most to the nine characters?

Individual experience. Each voice is a personal account. Results may vary. Reiki and spiritual practice are not a substitute for medical or psychological care.
More voices from the practice →
Begin the path

Kuji Kiri — the first initiation

The path starts with the foundation in Kuji Kiri 1. If you like, take a look at the upcoming dates.

Your Path Events