Many conservative schools are based around claims of Hawayo Takata's many student teachers competing as the true "Grandmaster" of Reiki or teaching exactly as Mrs. Takata herself taught. In recent years however many teachers connected in some way with Hawayo Takata do not strenuously claim to be appointed as the "Grandmaster of Reiki" as they once did in the past. Phyllis Furumoto (the granddaughter of Ms. Takata), for example of the "Reiki Alliance" seemed to cease claiming this title around the same time that it was found that historically no such title ever existed once the Japanese schools were discovered by Western Reiki schools. Often these "Grandmasters" attempt to patent the term "Reiki" in their particular country or countries of interest. Such actions are very unpopular in the wider Reiki community and have never been granted in any country.

It would appear that Hawayo Takata invented this title and claimed it for herself, however her motivations for this obfuscation are unknown. Dr. Barbara Weber Ray (T.R.T.I.A - The Radiance Technique International Association / a.k.a. The Radiance Association), Beth Gray and Phyllis Furumoto are the most notable Hawayo Takata trained teachers who have all claimed at one time or another to have been anointed as the supreme teacher of Reiki. Whether Mrs. Takata did or did not appoint them is unknown, as none of these claimants have produced any evidence or witnesses to their claims. It is perhaps likely that as the title itself was a fiction, that Mrs. Takata was reluctant to officially endorse anyone, as she herself could not actually confer any such title.