Ueshiba Kotedama

http://www.aetw.org/

One of the most famous modern-day exponents of the art of kotodama was Morihei Ueshiba - founder of the Spiritual Martial Art: Aikido.

Ueshiba, in adult life a follower of the Oomoto-kyo religious sect, devoted many years to the study and practice of kotodama, over time formulating his own version of the discipline which he incorporated into the Aikido system.

[It should perhaps be pointed out that, aged 7, Ueshiba was sent to Jizodera: a Shingon temple in Wakayama prefecture, where he studied Shingon Scriptures (as well as the Confucian classics), and it is likely that this immersion in Shingon Mikkyo doctrine at such a formative period in his life, would have influenced his later understanding and evolution of the kotodama art.]

Briefly:

At the core of the Ueshiba kotodama system lies the intonation of the nuclear syllable is SU.

SU is representative of the absolute center of the material realm - the very core of existence - the beginning of all things. It is the essence of that which existed at the precise moment of the creation of the Universe.

Other primary syllables include:

YU - signifying the affirmative: 'yes', is so', 'something'

MU - signifying the negative: 'no', 'is not', 'nothing'.

and the vowel-sounds: A-O-U-E-I:

A - signifying: 'moving up' - is voiced centered in the throat & mouth.
O - signifying: 'moving down' - is voiced centered near the heart.
U - signifying: 'returning to self' - is voiced deep in the hara
E - signifying: 'branching out' - is voiced in a way so as to be felt radiating out
.....................throughout the body.
I - signifying: ..'the life force' - is voiced so that it vibrates powerfully &
.....................eminates/projects outwards from the body.

'Usui' Kotodama

In the practice of kotadama, (and also, in the practice of jumon,) correct pronounciation of the syllables is of great importance, and, in both the Ueshiba kotodama practice and the kotodama practice which, it is now being claimed, was employed by Usui Sensei, the vowel-sounds have identical pronunciation:

A - vocalised as the a in 'father'
O - vocalised as the o in 'comb'
U - vocalised as the u in 'blue'
E - vocalised as the e in 'pen' (i.e. 'eh' - though some pronounce it closer to: 'ay')
I - vocalised as the ee in 'sleep'

Beyond the vowel-sounds, the following are the primary syllable-sounds apparently utilised in the 'Usui' form of kotodama:

KU as in 'you'
KI as in 'see'
HO, KO, YO - each as in 'blow'
NE - 'Neh' (- though some pronounce it closer to: 'Nay')
ZE - 'Zeh' (- some pronounce it closer to: 'Zay')

It seems it is currently being taught that Usui Sensei applied kotodama principles to produce a vocal alternative to the familiar 'names' of the four Reiki Symbols:
Kotodama: Pronunciation: Symbol:
ho ku ei hoe koo eh-ee Choku rei
ei ei ki eh-ee eh-ee kee Sei heiki
Ho a ze ho ne hoe ah zeh hoe neh Hon sha ze shô nen
a-i ku yo ah-ee koo yoe Dai kô myô


The theory is that these kotodama 'word-sounds' may be substituted for the symbols across the broad spectrum of their potential usage - e.g. in Reiki 'treatments', denju, reiju, and meditation, etc.

However, the reduction of words to primal phonemes in this way is a somewhat simplistic application of kotodama principle.
[Kotodama is a much more inclusive and broadranging discipline - involving many elements beyond the intonation of sacred phonomes or vowel-sounds.]
Such simplistic application of kotodama principle to the Reiki symbols is perhaps something one would expect to be devised by individuals only barely familiar with the discipline, rather than by someone as obviously well-versed in such matters as Usui-sensei?
In fact, I am of the growing belief that the elements of kotodama now being taught in relation to Reiki have actually been borrowed from the oversimplified examples of kotodama practice presented on several Aikido websites (- where the info is simply intended as an introducton to the principles of the discipline for new students)



General instructions for practice of the element of kotodama focussing on the intonation of phonomes or vowel-sounds:

Sit in the traditional Japanese zazen posture (- or on an upright chair, with back straight, feet flat on the ground) - with hands either palms down, resting on your thighs, or in the formal gassho position.

Focus your attention in your hara, at the area known as seiki tanden (a couple of inches below the navel).

Clear and still the mind.

Focus on the moment - there is ONLY the moment.

Draw the breath smoothly, steadily and easily in through the nose, then vocalise the kotodama as you breathe out through the mouth.

In a low and deeply resonant voice, intone each kotodama slowly, strongly - with total concentration and unity of body, mind and spirit.

Pronounce each 'word-sound' distinctly, separately - do not run or slur them together. Let each 'word-sound' fill your whole body - vibrating throughout every molecule - every atom.

Be aware of the resonance extending out throughout your aura into the very air about you....

*****