'125 Waka of the Meiji Emperor'
Just released 22 May 2025
By Frank Arjava Petter, Eri Fukase Luman (Calligraphy & Co-Author), and Patrick Lankau
🌸 Presented in Japanese, English, and German
Why the Meiji Emperor’s Poems Meant So Much to Usui Sensei and the Reiki Path
The poems of Emperor Meiji held a special place in the heart of Mikao Usui Sensei, the founder of Reiki. These short, profound verses, known as waka, offered deep spiritual insight, moral clarity, and gentle guidance for daily life. Usui Sensei often shared them with his students, not just as poetry, but as tools for self-reflection and inner transformation.
In the spirit of Reiki’s core principles - compassion, presence, and harmony, the Emperor’s words echoed the same timeless truths. Teachers and practitioners found inspiration in their simplicity and depth, using them as meditation anchors and quiet reminders of the path toward balance and peace.
Even today, these poems/ waka, continue to speak to the heart, reminding us, just as they reminded Usui and his students, to live with kindness, awareness, and grace.
From Arjava, Eri and Patrick
"We’re thrilled to share this heartfelt new book that brings the timeless wisdom of Emperor Meiji’s Waka poems to readers around the world. 125 Waka of the Meiji Emperor is more than a book, it’s a bridge between cultures, languages, and the deeper meaning behind words.
To make these profound poems accessible to as many people as possible, we’ve created four versions of each Waka:
On one side, you’ll see the original Japanese calligraphy, with the kanji and katakana script.
On the facing page, we’ve included the Romanised Japanese (Latin alphabet), followed by translations in English and German, so everyone can feel the beauty and spirit of the poems, regardless of language skills.
A lovely way to connect with these verses is to read them aloud in Japanese (or any language you feel drawn to), then sit quietly for a few minutes and let the sounds settle in your heart. When the last echoes fade, you’ll find yourself in a gentle moment of meditation.
Whether you’re a Reiki practitioner, a lover of poetry, or simply someone who appreciates beauty and peace, this book is a treasure we’re so happy to share with you" (Arjava, Eri and Patrick)🌿
Purchase from Amazon.com or a signed copy, in person from Arjava himself in Auckland 24-30 Sept 2025 at the Jikiden Reiki Classes he is teaching.
