A Brief History of Reiki from Usui to Takata and Today
- Eugene Chow
- Mar 29
- 4 min read
Reiki Healing is a world-renowned energy healing practice that draws energy into the body for numerous purposes. Many people use it for stress-reduction, for healing chronic ailments, and to support their mental well-being. But where did it come from? Let's go on a journey to explore the history of Reiki. You'll see how Mikao Usui created the Reiki that we know and how it spread to the rest of the world through his followers.
Mikao Usui and the Birth of Reiki
The history of Reiki begins in Japan in the early 1900s. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist, developed this practice after years of studying spiritual healing. He wanted to find a way to help people heal using energy, without needing tools or medicine.
Contrary to popular belief, Reiki was not uniquely developed by Mikao Usui. Other forms of energy healing, also called Reiki, were developed well before Usui arrived at the scene. However, it was his version that survived the tests of time.
According to historical records, Usui spent years learning about different healing methods. He studied ancient texts, practised meditation, and explored the body’s energy flow. His search led him to a rigorous dry fast on Mount Kurama, where he also meditated for 21 days. During this time, he experienced a deep spiritual awakening and was imbued with the knowledge to channel energy through his hands to help others. This method became the foundation of Reiki.
Usui shared his knowledge with students which is a system of hand positions and symbols. Through special Reiki attunements, practitioners could connect with energy and use it for healing. He also set up training levels so that others could learn and pass on Reiki.
The Growth of Reiki in Japan
Before his death in 1926, Usui trained several Reiki Masters, including a gentleman Chujiro Hayashi who played a key role in keeping Reiki alive. He set up a healing clinic in Tokyo, opposite a university hospital, and refined Usui’s teachings. By structuring the way of practising Reiki, he made it much easier to teach and to conduct scientific research.
Hayashi subsequently trained many Reiki Masters and one of his most well-known students was Hawaiian-born Hawayo Takata. She was a Japanese-American woman who later introduced Reiki to the West.
Reiki Reaches the West
In the 1930s, Hawayo Takata brought Reiki to Hawaii after learning from Hayashi in Japan. Severe health problems led her to seek treatment at Hayashi’s clinic. Within a year of regular treatment, her ailments were completely alleviated. Impressed by the results, she decided to train in Reiki herself.
Takata returned to Hawaii and opened her own clinic. Over the years, she shared Reiki with many people and, in the decade before she left her body, trained 22 students to become Reiki Masters. These Masters later spread Reiki across the United States and beyond.
To make Reiki more accessible, Takata further refined Hayashi's curriculum by standardising the techniques that led to the development of the "12 body positions". This made it far easier for her Western students to understand the concepts and apply the techniques with immediate effect. These changes helped Reiki grow rapidly outside Japan.
The Development of Different Reiki Styles
As Reiki spread across the world, different teachers adapted it in their own ways. Today, there are many forms of Reiki and the most popular is Usui Reiki. This follows the original teachings of Mikao Usui. It includes hand positions, symbols, and attunements passed from teacher to student.
Takata's version of Reiki is also known as Usui Reiki but many simplifications were made to the techniques such as more structured hand placements. She also omitted the complicated hand positions for various ailments that was covered in Hayashi's version of Usui Reiki.
Other forms of Reiki have also emerged, such as Karuna Reiki, each with slight differences in practice. However, they all share the idea that energy can be channelled to support healing.
Reiki Today
Reiki is now practised worldwide. Many people use it alongside other treatments to support physical and emotional well-being. Some American hospitals and wellness centres even offer Reiki as part of their services.
Although Reiki is not a replacement for medical care, many find that it helps with relaxation, stress relief, and even healing chronic illnesses. Scientific studies on Reiki’s effects show that it's better than placebo, and interest in energy healing as a non-invasive modality remains strong.
Final Thoughts on the History of Reiki
Reiki has come a long way since Mikao Usui discovered it. Through his teachings and the work of his students, Reiki has spread from Japan to the rest of the world. Today, millions of people use Reiki to support their well-being, making it one of the most popular energy healing practices in the world.
Whether you are new to Reiki or have been practising for years, its story is a reminder of the power of energy and the human desire to heal.