Story behind the art
This beautiful art is created by a young local artist in Richmond, BC, Atheana Picha, whose blood goes back to the Kwantlen nation (Fort Langley, BC, area). Her art style is a mix of coast salish (her nation) and nothern style (her elders and mentor's nation).
If you would like to follow Atheana’s instagram to see her art: @atheana.art
"Jikiden Reiki flying into the West"
In Japanese tradition, the dragonfly is referred to as “Kachi Mushi: victorious insect” as a representation of the spirit of “Not turning back, never retreating”. It particularly pleased the samurai (warriors) as a lucky charm. Yamaguchi’s ancestors go back to 400 years ago as a samurai clan and their symbol on the yoroi armor was a dragonfly. That is the connection between Jikiden Reiki and the dragonfly motif.
When I first time came to Canada in 1999 and learned about the First Nations culture, I felt such a connection since I see the similarity in Shinto teaching.
When the idea of the Jikiden Reiki North American Congress was forming, I thought it would create a meaningful symbol if the dragonfly and native art were combined, symbolizing Jikiden Reiki meets North American land.
With smile,
Mari Okazaki