top of page
Search

What is Traditional Reiki?

Writer's picture: Sally WainSally Wain

Updated: Sep 21, 2024



Traditional Reiki or traditional Japanese Reiki seems to be described on a number of websites but what does this mean? Let me give you a very brief background in the history of Reiki so you will be able to put this term into context.

 

Reiki or Reiki Ryoho, the practice of Reiki, originated in Japan around March in 1922. Mikao Usui, the founder of Reiki, became enlightened on Mt Kurama, north of Kyoto after meditating and fasting for 21 days. We do not know anything about Mikao Usui’s childhood or his life before his enlightenment. He created an association, Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (URRG) in Tokyo in April 1922. We do not know what he actually taught as he did not publish anything nor did he have manuals. Any documents from this time that may hold information, were totally destroyed when the association’s headquarters was bombed during WWII. Very little is known about the URRG as it is a secret society, however, small amounts of information have been leaked over the years.

 

Mikao Usui’s last student was Chujiro Hayashi. Hayashi changed Usui Sensei’s teachings to create his own when he formed the Hayashi Kenkyu Kai. Traditionally, when teachings are changed by the student then the name of the system changes also. Hayashi Sensei created his own curriculum, and treatments were done on massage tables instead of chairs as was done in URRG. His student, Mrs. Hawayo Takata then took Reiki to Hawaii and then mainland USA. Mrs. Takata, originally taught Japanese students in Hawaii so she taught them Hayashi’s teachings but later changed a number of them to make Reiki less Japanese, partly because of WWII and the anti-Japanese sentiment at the time. Takata Sensei also changed Reiki treatments that is in keeping with the Reiki treatments today. Takata Sensei called her Reiki system, Usui Shiki Ryoho. Further changes were made by other teachers as time went on.

 

Gendai Reiki Ho is also a Japanese Reiki system. It was founded by Hiroshi Doi. Many Gendai Reiki Ho websites incorrectly have the lineage (a family tree of sorts) going back through the URRG. Hiroshi Doi was a Level 2 Reiki practitioner in the URRG and became a Reiki Master through Neo Reiki in Osaka (as mentioned in Doi’s book ‘Iyashino Gendi ReikiHo – A Modern Reiki Method for Healing). In reality, Hiroshi Doi's lineage should lead back to Neo Reiki which in turns leads back to Chujiro Hayashi. Reiki lineages should show the names of teacher to teacher to teacher.  

 

So, what is Traditional Reiki? The word traditional means, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, 'following or belonging to the customs or ways of behaving that have continued in a group of people or society for a long time without changing.'  From my perspective, traditional Reiki or traditional Japanese Reiki is referring to the teachings of Mikao Usui. But how can this be when we do not know what his teachings were? We certainly do not have any information about Usui Sensei’s teachings or curriculum from the URRG. As I have previously mentioned, only small amounts of information are available to us. This hardly gives us a complete picture. If the lineage leads back to Hayashi Sensei, then it is not the original Reiki teachings of Mikao Usui. Any Reiki system that follows on from Hayashi Sensei cannot be viewed as traditional.


Komyo ReikiDo is the system that I teach. Yes, it is a Japanese Reiki system that teaches some traditional Reiki techniques however, there are other teachings that are directly from Hyakuten Inamoto and not Mikao Usui, the founder of Usui Reiki Ryoho. Komyo ReikiDo's lineage goes back through Chujiro Hayashi so also not a traditional Reiki system.

 

Traditional Reiki or traditional Japanese Reiki, has been lost in the annuls of time. While it is possible that information may come to light, currently no-one teaches Traditional Reiki.


So why do some claim they teach traditional Reiki? Something to contemplate.



 

 

13 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


LINKS

Komyo ReikiDo Melbourne follows the standards set by Komyo ReikiDo International & Hyakuten Inamoto as well as the National Code of Conduct in Australia & criteria set for teachers by the Australian Reiki Connection.

  • White Pinterest Icon

© 2024

 

Komyo ReikiDo Melbourne

Level 1, Suite 4, 542A Whitehorse Road

Mitcham VIC 3132

Welcome to Komyo ReikiDo Melbourne.

***Content may change without notice

***Medical Disclaimer: 

Sessions, services or courses that are mentioned throughout this website, are not intended to replace medical, psychological or counselling services from a licensed physician, psychiatrist or counsellor. Practitioners of Komyo ReikiDo Melbourne are not licensed medical practitioners. They do not prescribe substances & will not interfere with the treatment by a licensed medical professional.

Seek the advice of your professional healthcare provider with any questions regarding your medical condition & do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking medical care because of something that you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or the emergency number 000. 

bottom of page