The History of Reiki: From Usui Reiki to Western Reiki

Hi, I’m Neu, offering Reiki Healer Training Courses (Reiki Attunements) in the sacred mountains of Kurama, Kyoto—the birthplace of Reiki.

Although we often refer to it simply as “Reiki,” there are actually many different lineages and styles of Reiki practiced around the world today.

In Japan, most forms of Reiki that are commonly taught today are what’s known as "Western Reiki"—a style that once left Japan, evolved abroad, and was later reintroduced back into the country.

Many people wonder about the differences between Western Reiki and traditional Japanese Reiki.

n this article, we’ll explore the history of Reiki — how Reiki healing was born, how it developed over time, and the journey it took to become the Reiki we know today.
By understanding the roots and evolution of Reiki, you’ll gain deeper insight into the differences between Western Reiki and traditional Japanese Reiki.

【Index】

• The Birth of Usui Reiki

• Reiki During the Time of Mikao Usui

• Reiki’s Development by Chujiro Hayashi

• How Usui Reiki Traveled from Japan to Hawaii

• The Disappearance of Usui Reiki in Japan

• Conclusion

The Origin of Usui Reiki

Reiki, the healing practice widely known today, originated in Japan during the Taisho era and was founded by Mikao Usui.

Mikao Usui, the founder of Usui Reiki—which forms the foundation of modern Reiki healing—was born during the Keio era, the final era of the Edo period in Japan. Throughout his life, he held various occupations, all the while deeply exploring questions such as: “Why do we live?”, “What is the purpose of life?”, and “How should we live our lives?”

Mikao Usui was an exceptionally versatile individual, studying a wide range of fields including history, medical texts, Buddhism, Christianity, psychology, Taoist practices, esoteric arts, divination, and physiognomy. It seems that all of these pursuits were part of his lifelong quest to answer profound questions such as: “Why are we alive?”, “What is the purpose of life?”, and “How should we live our lives?”

Through his studies, Usui Sensei became convinced that the purpose of life is to attain “Anshin Ritsumei” — a state of peace and spiritual fulfillment. However, there is a significant gap between understanding this concept intellectually and truly embodying it in one’s experience.

To truly embody and internalize the experience of attaining Anshin Ritsumei, Usui Sensei began training at a Zen temple in Kyoto to seek enlightenment. This was during the transition from the Meiji to the Taisho era. However, no matter how much he trained, he could not open the state of enlightenment. When he reached a dead end, he consulted his Zen master, who replied, “Then, why don’t you try dying once?”

Following his master’s advice, in 1922 (Taisho 11), Usui Sensei retreated to Kurama Mountain, known as a sacred spiritual mountain in Kyoto, and decided to undertake fasting meditation. It is said that he was determined with a resolve to face death — vowing neither to rise from that place nor to break his fast until he attained enlightenment.

On the 21st night of his fasting meditation on Mount Kurama, Usui Sensei was suddenly struck by a powerful shock, as if hit by lightning, and lost consciousness. It was then that he attained the enlightenment of “Uchū soku ga, ga soku uchū” — the realization that the universe and the self are one. He is said to have felt a profound sense of harmony between the universal Reiki energy that fills the cosmos and his own personal energy.

Having finally attained the enlightenment that had been his long-cherished dream and goal, Usui Sensei began his descent from Mount Kurama. When he stopped by a stream to drink water, he slipped and his toenail was torn off. Instinctively, he placed his hand over the injured toe, and immediately noticed the pain subsiding. When he removed his hand, he found that the torn nail had somehow healed.

As Usui Sensei descended the mountain, he encountered the daughter of a tea house owner whose cheek was swollen from a toothache. When he gently placed his hand on her cheek, her pain instantly disappeared, and the swelling went down. It was around this time that Usui Sensei realized that, having attained enlightenment, he had gained the ability to heal others. The sacred energy known as “Reiki,” which has been called “靈氣” in Japan since ancient times and fills the universe, harmonized with his own energy. Through his hands, this “Reiki” resonated with and balanced the energy within others, bringing about healing.

After returning home, Usui Sensei practiced healing by laying his hands on his family and those around him. When the effectiveness of this treatment became clear, he believed that such a heavenly gift should not be kept to themselves alone. Just one month after attaining enlightenment on Mount Kurama, he established the “Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai” (Usui Reiki Healing Society) in Aoyama, Harajuku, Tokyo. From that time on, he actively practiced Reiki healing and openly taught the method to others.

When the Great Kanto Earthquake struck in 1923 (Taisho 12), Usui Sensei traveled through the affected areas, providing Reiki healing to many people and helping to soothe their suffering. Thanks to these efforts, the Usui Reiki Ryoho Society became widely known, and the number of disciples quickly grew to several thousand. As the number of students and those wishing to receive Reiki therapy continued to increase, the original dojo became too small to accommodate everyone. Therefore, in 1925 (Taisho 14), the dojo was moved to Nakano, a suburb of Tokyo, where Usui Sensei continued his energetic activities.

Reiki During Usui Sensei’s Lifetime

During the Taisho era, when Usui Sensei was active, various spiritual arts and healing therapies were widely accepted by the public. Among these, Usui Reiki was particularly trusted by senior naval officers, as well as philosophers and politicians. We know this because there is a roster of 21 individuals who received the “Shinpiden” (now known as Reiki Master certification) directly from Usui Sensei. Of those 21, at least five were senior officers in the navy.

In addition, it is known that scholars, politicians, university professors, and philosophers—people of high social standing in Japan at that time—were members of the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (Usui Reiki Healing Society).

Additionally, Usui Reiki at that time had a strong focus on its aspect as a form of “treatment.” In modern Japan, Reiki healing tends to emphasize relaxation and general healing effects. However, during its heyday in Japan, Usui Reiki therapy was regarded more as a form of alternative medicine, used to treat various illnesses and injuries.

The Development of Reiki by Chūjirō Hayashi

One of the essential figures in the history of Reiki is Dr. Chūjirō Hayashi.

Originally a naval captain and military doctor, Dr. Hayashi retired from the navy and received the Reiki Master level (known as “Shinpiden”) directly from Mikao Usui. Usui instructed him to further develop Reiki therapy from a medical perspective. Taking this to heart, Dr. Hayashi founded the “Hayashi Reiki Research Association” in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Building on Usui Reiki therapy, Hayashi blended his medical knowledge with unique theories and techniques to create his own distinct style. This approach later became the foundation for what is now known as Western Reiki.

From Usui Reiki Therapy in Japan to Hawaii

The reason Reiki healing has become a trusted healing method worldwide today is the meeting between Dr. Hayashi and Hawayo Takada.

Ms. Hawayo Takada was a Japanese-American woman born in Hawaii. While living in Hawaii, she suffered from a serious illness that doctors said was untreatable. With her prognosis grim and told she had little time left to live, Ms. Takada returned to Japan in 1935 (by that time, Dr. Usui had already passed away).

Ms. Takada was about to undergo surgery in Japan when she suddenly heard a mysterious voice saying, "There is no need for surgery." Trusting this intuition, she decided to get off the operating table. At that time, the doctor who was supposed to perform the surgery told her, “If you are looking for treatments other than surgery…” and introduced her to Reiki therapy, which had become well-known in Tokyo. That’s how she came to visit Dr. Hayashi’s clinic for treatment.

Ms. Takada, after receiving Reiki treatment at Dr. Hayashi’s clinic, saw her long-standing symptoms disappear in about three months, and her illness was completely cured within eight months. Deeply amazed and moved by these results, Ms. Takada became a student of Dr. Hayashi, studying under him until she attained the Okuden level (roughly equivalent to today’s Level 2), before returning to Hawaii.

After returning to Hawaii, Ms. Takata opened a Reiki clinic there and began practicing Reiki therapy locally. Later, in 1938 (Showa 13), when Dr. Hayashi visited Hawaii, she received the Okuden (advanced) teachings of the Hayashi Reiki Kenkyukai. This allowed Ms. Takata herself to become a Reiki Master and to start teaching Reiki to the local people. However, for reasons unknown, even after obtaining the Okuden level, she did not teach Reiki to others in Hawaii for a long time. This may have been influenced by the Pacific War, which lasted from 1941 to 1945 (Showa 16 to Showa 20).

The Pacific War began with the Japanese military’s attack on Pearl Harbor. As a Japanese-Hawaiian, Ms. Takata likely struggled deeply with how to convey the true essence of Reiki therapy—which inherits Japanese culture and spirituality—to the people of Hawaii during such a difficult time.

However, in her later years, Ms. Takata transmitted the Master level (Shinpiden) to more than 20 students. Through these 22 individuals, Usui Reiki quickly spread worldwide as “REIKI.” In less than 20 years, over five million people around the world began practicing Reiki.

The Disappearance of Usui Reiki Therapy in Japan

The impact of World War II, which began with the Pacific War, affected not only Ms. Takada in Hawaii but also the Usui Reiki Therapy Society in Japan and Reiki practitioners.

During the Tokyo air raids, most of the materials related to Usui Reiki Therapy, kept by the Usui Reiki Therapy Society, were lost. Additionally, after the war, various folk healing practices, including spiritual arts and esoteric arts—which had been common until the Taisho era—were banned in Japan. Reiki therapy was apparently included among these prohibited practices. Although the Usui Reiki Therapy Society still exists today, operating in a very closed manner through direct introductions only, it can be said that the original Reiki therapy practically disappeared in Japan.

At that time in Japan, practicing Reiki therapy publicly was not allowed. Those who had learned Reiki quietly continued the practice at home, offering healing only to their family and close relatives. This discreet way of passing down the tradition allowed it to survive through the years. The lineage that has been preserved in this manner until today is known as Jikiden Reiki, which traces its roots through Mr. Hayashi’s lineage.

It can be said that Reiki therapy has survived to this day thanks to Ms. Takada bringing it to Hawaii before World War II through Mr. Hayashi.

It can be said that Reiki, which spread worldwide, was re-imported back to Japan in the late 1980s as "Reiki." This form is what most Reiki healers in Japan use today. However, after passing through the war and spreading overseas, much of the original Japanese spirituality embedded in Reiki was lost. Additionally, various options were added, and interpretations slightly changed during this transmission. This version of Reiki that returned to Japan via overseas is called "Western Reiki." It is safe to say that nearly all Reiki healing taught in Japan today is based on this "Western Reiki."

Conclusion

Reiki Healing, as it is known today, originated in the Taisho era on Mount Kurama in Kyoto, founded by Mikao Usui. During the Taisho period, Reiki therapy gained great popularity, but due to the impact of the Pacific War and World War II, it almost disappeared from Japan. However, thanks to Mrs. Takada, a Japanese-Hawaiian who received Reijyu from Mr. Hayashi, a direct disciple of Usui, Usui Reiki spread worldwide under the name “REIKI.” When this global form of “REIKI” was re-imported back to Japan, it came to be used again as “Reiki” in Japan today.

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