Kuji-Kiri : Nine Hand Seals

Kuji-Kiri ( 九字切り ) means “Nine symbolic cuts”. It is a technique that belongs to the esoteric Buddhist tradition. From the outside, it seems to consist in drawing nine lines in the form of a grid, then drawing a symbol on the grid.

In fact, it is the setting in place of nine energy structures, that once activated, can empower a concept represented by the drawn symbol over the grid.

In other words, the nine lines that we draw in Kuji-Kiri, are nine energy concepts that we lay down on a surface or in the air.

This grid is empowered when the person who draws the grid has activated the nine powers in his consciousness. At this point, the drawn grid becomes a representation of the matrix of the world, into which you can summon another conceptual energy.

A Kuji-Kiri user is sometimes called a majutsushi, which translates as magician or conjurer. 真 ma = pure; 術 jutsu = art; 仕 shi = user. Thus, user of the pure art. Usually, the Kuji-Kiri users are experienced monks or priests in the Mikkyo (esoteric) Buddhist traditions, such as Shingon, Ten-Daï, or Shugendo.

But there is sufficient correspondence with the Taoist ways to suggest that it came to Japan along with Chinese Buddhists who carried the influence of Taoist ways. Nowadays, it is mostly popular because of Ninjitsu, but ninjas are not the only ones using Kuji-Kiri.