Brief Reiki History

The history of Reiki as we know, is sketchy and is continuing to be re-discovered through countless research.  With this, there are many contradictions, and hearsay about what is the truth.  

?It is believed that one man is credited for re-discovering the Reiki energy, named Dr. Mikao Usui.  He was born in1865 in Taniai, Japan and died of a massive stroke in 1926.  Dr. Usui became a Buddhist Monk in 1914.  Traditional Reiki history shares with us that in 1922 Dr. Usui experienced a profound enlightenment while meditating during a 21-day fasting retreat on Mount Kurama in Japan. While standing under a waterfall, he did a meditation designed to open and purify the Crown Chakra.  He received the healing ability he called Reiki, along with the knowledge and ability to impart that to others.

Dr. Usui opened a Reiki practice Tokyo in 1921 and was the founder of the Usui Reiki Healing Society. According to his Memorial, Dr. Usui trained more than 2000 students. Of them, sixteen were initiated as Reiki Master/Teachers, including Mr. Chujiro Hayashi. It is through this gentleman that the "Western" line of Reiki has progressed. Mr. Hayashi separated from Dr. Usui to start his own practice and began teaching students. It is here that Mrs. Hawayo Takata, of Hawaii, discovered Reiki at Mr. Hayashi's Clinic. After being healed of a serious illness, she became a student of Mr. Hayashi and achieved her Master/Teacher level in 1938 - one of 13 Reiki Master/Teachers trained by Mr. Hayashi.

Mrs. Takata (1900 - 1980) studied with Mr. Hayashi in Japan, and then returned to Hawaii to establish Reiki Healing Clinics and herself as a Reiki Master/Teacher. Within ten years before her death in 1980, she initiated 22 Reiki Master/Teachers.

Dr. Usui states in his handbook that "Our Reiki Ryoho is something absolutely original and cannot be compared with any other spiritual path in the world" and "It is an original therapy, which is built upon the spiritual power of the universe". 

There are many different styles of Reiki taught throughout the world.  This is a natural outgrowth of individual teaching techniques and also individual learning environments based on cultural background.  The Usui system is the most popular ad is the “parent” of all other systems of Reiki teachings.  All Reiki teachings are taught in a system of levels, known as degrees.  Each possesses a unique radiation and vibration of energy set fort for a specific purpose in healing.