Reiki Waka: Though Overgrown with a Dense Thicket

Though overgrown
With a dense thicket
Of briers and brambles,
A path needing tread upon is
One that must be followed.
— Empress Shōken (昭憲皇太后)

In Japanese: 茂りたるうばらかたちはらいても ふむべき道はゆくべかりけり

Did you know that poetry is a part of the system of Reiki? It’s true! Waka (Japanese poetry) has been practiced by Japanese Reiki practitioners since the early 1900s. These poems were a source of deep inspiration for Mikao Usui, the founder of the system of Reiki, and were used as tools for contemplation and spiritual growth.

This waka by Empress Shōken offers a courageous teaching about commitment in the face of difficulty: life rarely offers us a clear, unobstructed path. More often, the way forward is tangled, overgrown, and demanding. Yet this poem does not counsel us to wait for easier conditions — it reminds us that some paths must be walked precisely because they must be walked. Listen to this song and contemplate the words.

Watch here:

The poem reminds us:

• A difficult path is not the wrong path
• The presence of obstacles does not mean you should turn back
• Some journeys require effort, courage, and a willingness to push through
• Waiting for the brambles to clear may mean never walking at all
• The path that must be followed calls to something deeper than comfort

In the context of the system of Reiki and spiritual growth, this waka teaches us about 覚悟 (kakugo) — resolute commitment. Spiritual practice is rarely effortless. There will be seasons of confusion, resistance, and difficulty. Empress Shōken’s words do not promise an easy road; they simply remind us that the road is ours to walk, regardless. The question is not whether the path is clear — it is whether we are willing to step forward anyway.

🌸 Deepen Your Practice: 21-Day Waka Journey
This waka can be used by Reiki practitioners for daily contemplation. If you’re drawn to this wisdom, imagine spending 21 days exploring the profound spiritual teachings hidden within Japanese poetry.

Join my 21-Day Waka Course where you’ll:
Discover 21 waka poems that can be used in traditional Reiki practice
Learn how Mikao Usui and his students used poetry for spiritual development
Receive guided reflections to deepen your understanding of each poem
Explore the connection between Japanese aesthetics (mono no aware), nature, and inner cultivation
Transform your spiritual practice through the timeless wisdom of waka
Each day brings a new poem, a new teaching, a new opportunity to cultivate your practice.
👉https://reikiwithbronwen.com/courses/waka-wisdom-21-days-of-imperial-reiki-meditations/

Check out my Japanese Reiki Poems Playlist on Youtube!