A Brief History of Reiki

Reiki’s tradition and history is oral and generally passed from Reiki Master to student during training.  Some of the writings tell the story of how Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Christian educator, discovered the ancient healing art in Japan in the late 1800’s.  His revelations paved the way for Reiki’s emergence in the United States and the rest of the world.  

Based on ancient Buddhist and Hindu teachings, Dr. Usui evolved a system of healing through study, research and meditation.  He practiced and taught this method using the laying on of hands.  In the traditional Reiki lineage, he trained Chujiri Hayashi to continue his work after his death.  Dr. Hayashi then opened a clinic and school in Tokyo where he trained his successor, Mrs. Hawayo Takata, who brought Reiki to the mainland of the U.S.   

Between 1945 and 1970, Mrs. Hawayo Takata was the only living Reiki Master in the world.  Between 1970 and 1980, she trained twenty-one (21) Reiki Masters.  Mrs. Takata’s granddaughter, Phyllis Lei Furumoto, is the current Grand Master of the Usui System of Natural Healing (Usui Shiki Ryoho).

Today, in the United States, William Lee Rand is one of the biggest names in Reiki.  He was a student of Phyllis Lei Furomoto.  He is the founder of The International Center of Reiki Training and Master teacher of Usui and Karuna Reiki.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please e-mail QBS and we will be happy to respond.