Month: August 2026

“How does Shinkiko differ from Qigong or Reiki?” This is a question I am frequently asked. Many people likely perceive Qigong as a practice of cultivating and refining one’s own Ki(Qi) (life energy) through personal training, and Reiki as a method where a practitioner transmits energy through their hands. In contrast, the defining characteristic of Shinkiko is that Ki(Qi) emanates from an object, or that one utilizes an item capable of emitting Ki(Qi). In fact, this is precisely the aspect that may seem most dubious to the average person. Even I, when I first heard the story of how my father—the previous head—invented the “High Genki” device in a dream, honestly thought it sounded rather suspicious.

This space is filled with various forms of energy. Just as a radio or television tunes in to a specific station’s signal from among a multitude of airwaves, “Ki-relay” devices and other Shinkiko items—which have been infused with Ki—are designed to selectively capture and receive only the Shinkiko vibrations. While the method of transmitting Ki by placing one’s hands on someone tends to provide energy only for the moment and duration that the person is present, the use of these tools allows us to receive that energy continuously and inexhaustibly in our daily lives. Furthermore, by receiving Ki intensively—such as through Shinkiko training courses—that energy becomes imprinted within you, eventually enabling you to transmit Ki to the people around you.

Our Ki (life energy) is connected to the people around us—our ancestors, family, and friends. Therefore, when we receive the energy of Shinkiko, the resulting changes are not limited to ourselves alone but extend to those around us. While practices like Qigong and Reiki primarily focus on the individual receiving the treatment, I feel that a distinctive feature of Shinkiko is that the light spreads beyond the recipient to the surrounding environment. Shinkiko has a nature that allows it to easily permeate the life energy within the body (referred to by some as Ki or the soul). Once this energy permeates, it fosters the growth of the soul and increases the soul’s light. Consequently, various changes manifest in both the body and the mind. I believe this influence extends not only to the living but also to those who have already passed away, as well as to animals and plants.

My predecessor once said, “The purpose of Shinkiko is not merely to cure illness; it is to elevate spirituality, purify the environment…” Shinkiko works by having the light radiate outward from the person receiving the Ki (life energy), reaching everything that possesses life energy. It is perfectly fine if it seems unusual or mysterious at first. I encourage you to simply experience receiving the Ki firsthand and observe the changes within your own body and mind. We hold regular free trial sessions, so please feel free to join us if you are interested.

Last weekend, we held a Shinkiko Retreat seminar at the KIPLACE in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Shinkiko, I am delighted that—following last month’s event in Sapporo—we were able to host a training seminar at the KIPLACE for the first time. Although the Ikebukuro KIPLACE opened only about two years ago, our connection to this location traces back to the era of my predecessor. I also find deep significance in the fact that we were able to hold this gathering to receive Ki energy during Obon, a time when we turn our thoughts toward our ancestors. Stepping back from the busyness of daily life and interpersonal relationships to spend time quietly receiving Ki offers us an invaluable opportunity to look inward and connect with ourselves.

We sometimes encounter unexpected troubles or unforeseen events. There are times when nothing seems to go right, and our anxiety causes us to spin our wheels in vain. In such moments, we are prone to looking for causes outside ourselves—thinking, “Why is this happening to me?” or “It’s that person’s fault.” This is because, when caught in the midst of trouble, we easily align with negative Ki (energy), causing our perspective to narrow. Yet, from the perspective of Ki, events that appear negative at first glance often carry vital messages intended to refine our hearts and elevate our souls.

For some time now, I have felt the importance of “pausing” in our daily lives. Japan has long cherished a culture of stopping to reflect on oneself—whether by clasping one’s hands in prayer at the end of the day or centering one’s mind at the turning points of the seasons. However, modern society demands efficiency and speed, often causing us to keep rushing forward without a moment’s rest. Although this Retreat seminar is something I conduct regularly, engaging with it in a different setting and from a fresh perspective allowed me to experience that sense of pausing. If we forget to stop, not only does fatigue accumulate, but we also become trapped in the same patterns of thought, making it difficult to generate new ideas; we become more susceptible to the influence of negative energy.

These Retreat seminars offer the perfect opportunity to simply pause for a moment. By quieting the restless activity of your conscious mind in an environment filled with positive energy, the clouds obscuring your heart clear away, allowing deep insights to well up naturally. Negative energy is dispelled, while positive energy supports you, making it easier for inspired ideas to emerge.
We are expanding our venues, with sessions scheduled for Miyazaki next month and Kyoto thereafter. I encourage you to find a moment in your daily life to simply pause. Even just applying the High Genki device while letting your mind drift is enough. By taking that moment to pause and center your heart, your journey forward will become more powerful and filled with light.

August is a season for turning our thoughts toward our ancestors. The very fact that we exist here today is due entirely to the countless ancestors who, since the distant past, have carried on the unbroken thread of life.
I recently spoke with someone who had obtained a certified copy of their family register; as they carefully examined the document, they realized that each of their ancestors had lived through an era of great upheaval and war—spanning from the end of the Edo period into the Showa era. Imagining the hardships those ancestors endured likely allowed this person to feel a deeper sense of gratitude than ever before.

On the other hand, some of you may have heard negative stories about your ancestors—such as tales of lives ruined by alcohol or failed business ventures. However, it is important to view these matters from a different perspective. It could be said that precisely because of those failures and hardships, the family united and the next generation rose to the challenge, leading to the present day. In fact, ancestors who harbored such regrets or attachments are often the very ones waiting for the light; thus, there is profound significance in our sending that light to them with a heart full of gratitude.

From the perspective of Ki (vital energy), the soul continues to exist even after the physical body perishes, remaining deeply connected to us through an invisible, vertical bond. While the karmic ties with our ancestors may sometimes manifest as seemingly negative phenomena—such as poor health or discord in relationships—these are not things to fear; rather, they offer a prime opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth.

You can share the positive Ki (energy)—charged using devices like High Genki or other Ki-enhancing products—with your ancestors. At the same time, while it is certainly important to look for the good in your daily life, you should also deeply reflect on your connection to your ancestors. Try writing down the stories and accounts of their hardships that you heard from your parents or grandparents. Research their names and the eras in which they lived using family registers or family trees, and try to imagine what their lives were like; your ancestors may well have endured immense stress.

What if you put yourself in their shoes? Imagining this makes their experiences feel much more personal and can offer new insights into how you approach your own current struggles. You may also discover something “passed down within you”—such as a shared ability to overcome hardships, or similarities in your talents and lines of work. As you come to perceive each individual as a real, tangible person, your sense of gratitude deepens and becomes more profound.

Then, let us translate those feelings into a “resolve to purify our mind.” Even a small step—such as pausing for a breath before speaking when you feel a flash of irritation—represents a proactive effort to change for the better; this act in itself serves as a supreme offering, and our ancestors will support us as a “cheering squad of light.” Let us strive together to reach greater heights.