Tuesday,
Aug 15
1865 |
|
Mikao
Usui born in the village of Taniai, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. |
| Apr
25, 1867 |
|
Tokyo opened for foreign trade |
| 1867 |
|
With the assistance of a gun-carrying Samurai named Ryoma Sakamoto,
the feudal government system was toppled and the Tokugawa Shogunate
gave up power. |
| 1868 |
|
Beginning
of Meiji period (see: MEIJI, USUI
& SHUGENDO ) |
| 1869 |
|
Emperor relocated Japan's Capital from Kyoto to Edo, renamed
Tokyo ("Eastern Capital") |
| 1869 |
|
Mikao
Usui believed by some to have been sent to a Tendai Monastery
School |
Feb
3
1870 |
|
Proclamation
of the Great Doctrine which restored Shinto - also known as:
Kami no Michi ('the Way of the Kami') as the guiding
principle of the nation. Every Japanese citizen required to
register at the Shrine of the local Kami of his residence -
i.e. the local Shinto Temple (not at Buddhist Temples, as is
mistakenly stated by several Reiki researchers) |
|
Jun 27
1871
|
|
The
Yen became the new form of currency in Japan. |
| 1871 |
|
Samurai
class banned from carrying swords |
| Apr
1872 |
|
An
Imperial Edict gives state permission for Buddhist monks to
eat meat, grow their hair, marry and have children, take on
a family name, and to refrain from wearing robes except when
performing services |
| 1873 |
|
Centuries-old
ban on Christianity lifted, and compulsory registration at local
Shinto shrines was terminated after vigorous criticism from
many |
| Apr
11 1873 |
|
Toshihiro
Eguchi born in Kumamoto |
| 1877 |
|
Last
Revolt by the Samurai class is quelled |
| 1877/78 |
|
It
is said by some that at the age of 12 Usui-Sensei began martial
arts training - studying either 'Yagyu Ryu' or 'Yagyu Shinkage
Ryu' - martial arts incorporating Ken-Jutsu (swordsmanship)
and Ju-jutsu (unarmed combat). He would go on to gain his Menkyo
Kaiden (teachers/full licence) in his 20's. |
| Sept
15, 1880 |
|
Chujiro
Hayashi born in Tokyo |
| 1882 |
|
The central Bank of Japan was established. |
| Dec.14,
1883 |
|
The
founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, born |
| Apr
4, 1884 |
|
Isoroku Yamamoto was born. As a Japanese Naval Commander, he
would go on to mastermind the attack on Pearl Harbour. |
|
Feb 9, 1885 |
|
The first Japanese arrived in Hawaii. |
| 1887 |
|
Chujiro
Hayashi's wife, Chie born |
| 1888-92 |
|
It
had been claimed by some that during this period (- apparently
as a result of a Cholera-induced, profound near-death experience
in which he is said to have received visions of Mahavairochana
Buddha) Usui-Sensei converted from Tendai to the other Major
Branch of Japanese Mikkyo (Esoteric) Buddhism - the Shingon
school [ - however, the source of this information has recently
been exposed as having fabricated a considerable amount of supposed
'original' Reiki information and documents.] |
| Jul
23, 1894 |
|
Korean Imperial Palace in Seoul taken over byJapanese troops. |
| 1894/5 |
|
Sino-Japanese
War |
| Apr23,
1895 |
|
Russia, France, and Germany forced Japan to return the Liaodong
peninsula to China. |
| 1899 |
|
Japanese Government passed a statute discriminating against
the northern Ainu people. |
Dec
24
1900 |
|
Hawayo
Kawamuru (later: Takata) born in Hanamaulu, Kauai, Hawaii. |
| APR
29, 1901 |
|
Hirohito, future Emperor of Japan, born. |
Mar
1902 |
|
Japan formed an alliance with England. |
Dec 14
1902.
|
|
Chujiro
Hayashi graduated from Class 30 at the Japanese Naval Academy at Etajima |
| 1903 | | Chujiro Hayashi's son: Tadayoshi born |
| 1904 |
|
Tenko
Nishida founded the Spiritual Community known as Ittôen
|
| 1904/5
|
|
Russo-Japanese War |
| 1906 |
|
Kimiko
Koyama born. We are told that from 1975 to1999, Kimiko Koyama
was the 6th President of the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai , the first
woman to hold the position |
| 190? |
|
Mikao
Usui married
Sadako Suzuki |
| Feb
24, 1908 |
|
Japan officially agreed to restrict immigration to the U.S. |
| 1908 |
|
Morihei
Ueshiba, in his 20's, received his Menkyo Kaiden (full
license) in Gotoha Yagyu Shingan Ryu.- a martial arts style
in the Yagyu Shinkage Ryu lineage |
| 1908 |
|
Usui-Sensei's
son, Fuji (1908-1946) born |
Feb
1909 |
|
The
Omoto Kyo spiritual group published the first issue of their
magazine entitled: Chokurei-gun ("Direct-Spirit
Army" or "Spirit direct [from Kami/God] Army") |
March,
1910 |
|
Having
practiced Zen disciplines for many years, Shoseki Kaneko experienced
a 'minor enlightenment' and as a result began to manifest healing
abilities. |
| 1910 | | Chujiro Hayashi's daughter: Kiyoe born |
| 1910 |
|
Japan
officially annexed Korea. |
| 1911 |
|
Seitosha
- first Japanese feminist group founded in this year |
| 1912 |
|
Death
of the Meiji Emperor. Prince Yoshihito became the Taisho Emperor
|
| 1913 |
|
Usui-Sensei's
daughter, Toshiko, born |
Aug
23
1914 |
|
Japan
joined the Allied side in World War I, declaring war on Germany |
| 1914 |
|
Possible
date when Usui-Sensei received the Reiki ability??. This is
apparently the date given in 2 different Japanese books on
Reiki?? &, according to Dave King of Usui-Do, is the date
cited by Tatsumi-san [said to have been one of Hayashi-Sensei's
students]
|
| Jan,
1915 |
|
Japan took over economic control of China |
| 1915 |
|
A
Tendai Buddhist nun referred to as: 'Suzuki San', so it is claimed,
becomes one of Usui Sensei's student, remaining with him until
1920 |
March,
1915 |
|
A
book entitled Kenzen no Genri (Health Principles), written
by a Dr. Bizan (or Miyama?) Suzuki, includes the admonition:
"Just for today, do not anger (others), do not fear, work
hard, be honest, and be kind to others."
This is almost certainly the direct source of Usui Sensei's
Five Reiki Principles.
[There may have been an earlier edition of this book published
in Dec.1914] |
| 1915 |
|
Tamai
Tempaku, a practitioner of the ancient art of Ampuku (abdominal
massage) and student of Chinese acupoint therapy, published
the first book describing his newly developed therapeutic modality,
which he named 'Shiatsu'.
In the volume entitled: Shiatsu Ryoho (“Finger Pressure
Method of Healing”) Tamai described the treatment of pathological
conditions identified by modern Western medicine using his Shiatsu
Ryoho which integrated traditional therapies, spiritual wisdom,
and western models of anatomy and physiology. |
| 1917 |
|
Gichin
Funakoshi first introduced the Okinawan Martial art of te
(or naha-te) to the Japanese mainland. The art is better
known today as Karate |
| 1917 |
|
Hawayo
Kawamuru and Saichi Takata married |
| 1918
|
|
Chujiro
Hayashi appointed Director of Ominato Port Defense Station,
at the foot of Mt Osore, Northern Japan. |
| 1918
|
|
Japan's
first Parliamentary Cabinet formed. |
| 1918/19 |
|
Usui-Sensei
said to have begun 3 year training in Zen. |
| 1919 |
|
Morihei
Tanaka published: "Taireido: A new revelation showing the
true system of life"
It had been suggested that Usui-sensei may have been student
of Tanaka's, or at least have been influenced by his teachings.
The term: Taireido has been translated as 'The Great
Spirit-Way' |
| 1919 |
|
A
therapist named Mataji Kawakami (?) published a book entitled:
Reiki Ryoho To Sono Koka (Reiki Ryoho & Its Effects)
This book was not about 'Usui Reiki Ryoho'.
It seems that the term Reiki Ryoho (indicating 'Spiritual Healing')
was used by several therapists, before Usui-Sensei, to
describe their practices. |
| 1920 |
|
According
to Dave King, a woman now referred to as Mariko-Obaasan
(- a Tendai Buddhist Nun) and her friend apparently met Usui-Sensei
on Mt. Hiei (Headquarters of the Tendai sect). It is claimed
that she spent almost every day from then on working with him,
up to the time of his death [Note: Obaasan means grandmother
and is simply a term of respect, not part of a name] |
| 1920/21 | | Toshihiro
Eguchi, a friend of Usui-Sensei spent several months working
and studying with Usui-Sensei |
| 1921 |
|
Mrs
Chiyoko Yamaguchi (of Jikiden
Reiki) born |
| 1921 |
|
Usui-Sensei believed to have begun working as secretary to Goto
Shinpei, head of the Department of Health and Welfare, who had
from 1898 to 1906 been head of the civil administration of Taiwan,
and would later (1922) become the Mayor of Tokyo. |
| April
1921 |
|
Usui
Sensei believed to have incorporated the gokai (the 'five
principles' or 'precepts') into his teachings. |
| Nov
25, 1921 |
|
Hirohito became Regent of Japan. |
| March
1922 |
|
Possible
date when Usui-Sensei received the Reiki ability??
Kurama Yama (MT Kurama),
about a 30 minute train ride from the old capital of Kyoto,
is said to be the mountain in where Mikao Usui carried out his
21-day meditation, and on the 21st day experienced the phenomenon
that is Reiki.
[However, others have previously suggested that it was in fact
Koya Yama (MT Koya) and not Kurama Yama which was the place.]
Whatever the case, prior to this date, Usui-Sensei is said to
have been practicing and teaching his own personal system of
self -development involving [so it is claimed] teachings which,
while Buddhist in origin, are said to have included some 'Shinto
energy practices'.
[However, research in progress (2006) would seem to indicate
that Usui-sensei's system may actually have been strongly influenced
by the philosophy of the Omoto Kyo spiritual group]
Apparently he did not really have a name for the system -though
it is referred to by some as: 'Usui Do' - 'Usui Way' |
| April
1922 |
|
Usui-Sensei
opened his first training centre (some call it a "clinic")
in Harajuku, Aoyama, Tokyo.
His 'motto' for the training centre was:
"Unity of self through harmony and balance".
It is also claimed by some that Usui-Sensei founded Usui Reiki
Ryoho Gakkai (Usui Reiki Healing Method Learning Society) at
this time, though others maintain that the Gakkai was actually
founded by a number of his senior students sometime after
Usui-Sensei's death. |
| 1922 |
|
Usui-Sensei
supposed to have used the Reiju empowerment method for the first
time in Harajuku, Tokyo. |
| Nov
17th, 1922 |
|
Albert
Einstein and his second wife, Elsa arrived in Japan. Staying
in the country till 22nd December, he visited several Imperial
Universities, lecturing on the theory of relativity. [While
on route to Japan Einstein learned that he had been awarded
the Nobel Physics Prize] |
| 1923 |
|
Usui-Sensei
said to have introduced a grading system used by Jigoro Kano
(creator of Judo). Thus the levels in the original Usui-Do system
became:
Rokukyu, Gokyu, Yankyu, Sankyu, Nikkyu (CKR symbol taught at this
level), Ikkyu (SHK symbol ), Shodan (HSZSN symbol), Nidan (DKM
symbol), Sandan, Yondan, Godan, Rokudan, Shichidan (/Nanadan).
This format was in use up until late 1925 |
| 1923 |
|
Toshihiro Eguchi returned to the training
centre to practice his own te-no-hira (palm healing)
system which apparently incorporated elements of Usui-sensei's
teachings. Eguchi's system had religious overtones and included
a form of blessing ceremony that Eguchi had learned from his
friend Tenko Nishida - founder of the Ittoen Community
Usui-Sensei, it seems, was somewhat uncomfortable with Eguchi's
approach but eventually permitted Eguchi to teach at the centre
on a twice-weekly basis. He was allowed to perform the blessing
ceremony, but apparently not allowed to chant a prayer element
known as the Komyo Kigan
. |
| 1923 |
|
Torii
gate at entrance to Amataka shrine in Taniai village erected
by Usui-Sensei and his family. |
| 1923 |
|
Over
106,000 people reported missing or killed, 500,000 injured and
694,000 houses were destroyed, in an earthquake measuring 7.9
on the Richter scale - the epicentre was about 50 miles from
Tokyo. Usui-Sensei apparently became quite famous as a result
of helping many of the survivors, and his success and reputation
with Reiki is said to have spread all over Japan. |
Feb
1924 |
|
Usui-Sensei
moved his Centre to larger premises in Nakano, outside of Tokyo. |
| Jun
26, 1924 |
|
Crown Prince Hirohito married the daughter of Prince Kuniyoshi
Kuni, Nagako |
| 1924 |
|
US
passed an Immigration Act banning Japanese from emigrating to
the US |
| 1925 |
|
Taisho
Government passed the Chian Iji Ho (Peace Preservation
Law / Public Security Act). Primarily intended to stem the spread
of Socialist thought, the Chian Iji Ho was also implemented
to control the growth and activities of religious and spiritual
groups considered to be promoting 'dangerous thoughts' - i.e.
ideas in any way conflicting with, or critical of, the official
views and doctrines of the State. |
March
1925 |
|
Males
over the age of 25 were given the vote |
| May
1925 |
|
A
further group of Tendai nuns are said to have arrived at the
Usui Sensei's Training Centre (staying until the November of
that year). |
| May
1925 |
|
Chujiro
Hayashi arrived at the training centre |
June
1925
|
|
Chujiro
Hayashi received Sandan level training from Usui-Sensei |
Nov
1925 |
|
18 junior
Naval Officers and the Rear Admirals: Juusaburo Gyuda (also
known as Ushida) and Kanichi Taketomi (-these latter two are
believed to have been the actual founders of the Usui Reiki
Ryoho Gakkai -) apparently joined Usui Sensei's classes.
It is claimed by some that at this point there was a sudden
shift in the nature and structure of the training given at
the centre, and as a result of the Rear Admirals' influence,
a system of 'biofield therapeutics' - with a focus on treating
others - began to emerge alongside Usui-Do
This system, apparently based in part around Eguchi's hand
healing concepts - and utilising several Ki-development techniques
from Eguchi's book - was being referred to as: 'Usui Reiki
Ryoho' by the Naval Officers.
It has
been suggested that it was also during this time that Hayashi-Sensei
[perhaps under orders from the Admirals] compiled his 'healing
guide' - as a basic text for this newly evolving therapeutic
modality.
We are led to believe that a new grading system came into
use around this time - grades above Nidan were dropped - and
four new levels introduced, called: Shoden (first grade),
Chuuden (middle grade), Okuden (inner grade) and Kaiden (grade
of explanation)
It is also possible that it may have been under the influence
of the Naval Officers that the Gyosei (: poems penned by the
Meiji Emperor) began to be used at the start of the meetings
|
| 1925/26 |
|
Kaiji
Tomita learned Reiki around this period, and later taught
Reiki in the 4-level format introduced by the Naval Officers.
Apparently, his classes for the first three levels: Shoden,
Chuuden and Okuden, each involved a 10-hour period of training
over 5 days, and Kaiden involved 15 days training (presumably
30 hours).
|
| Jan
1926 |
|
It
seems the grading levels were apparently changed once more to:
Shoden (which now included Chuuden, and had four sub-levels),
Okudenzenki (previously: Okuden), Okudenkouki and Shinpiden
(the latter two covering what had formerly been taught as Kaiden),
with the Shinpiden level having almost the same content as the
Sandan level in the grading system originally used by Usui-Sensei.
It is said that while Gyuda and Taketomi achieved the Shinpiden
level of proficiency, Hayashi-Sensei had continued his training
in keeping with the earlier grading system, in time achieving
the level of Shichidan.
Apparently, the only other person to reach this level was Toshihiro
Eguchi and it is said that both Eguchi and Hayashi-Sensei continued
teaching the original Usui-Do system along with their own healing
systems for several years after Usui-Sensei's death. |
March
9
1926 |
|
Usui-Sensei
travelled to Fukuyama town to meet with his creditors, and died
there as a result of a stroke (he had apparently had several
previous ones) |
| |
|
*
* *
|
| 1926 |
|
It
is claimed that Mariko-Obaasan and her friend remained at the
training centre for some months after Usui-Sensei's death, then
left.
Apparently, while they were still there, some of Usui-Sensei's
remains were placed in a private shrine along with a large portrait
photograph of him and the original copy of the 5 Precepts that
had hung in the training centre. |
| 1926 |
|
A
few months after Usui-Sensei's death, Hayashi-Sensei (with the
co-operation and assistance of Ushida and Taketomi) is believed
to have moved Usui-Sensei's training centre to Shina-no-Machi
(in Tokyo's Shinjuku-ku district) .It was to Hayashi-sensei's
clinic in Shina no Machi that Hawayo Takata would later come
seeking treatment... |
| Dec
25, 1926 |
|
Hirohito
became the Emperor Showa. However, he would not be formally
enthroned for almost another two years |
| 1926/27 |
|
According
to some, Rear Admiral Juusaburo Gyuda and other students formed
the "Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai" (Usui Reiki Healing
Method Learning Society[/Association])"', posthumously
honouring Usui-Sensei by naming him as the first 'president'
of the society. |
|
Feb
1927
|
|
Usui-Sensei's
students said to have erected the memorial
stone which amongst other things, mentions Mount Kurama as the
site of Usui-Sensei's receipt of the Reiki phenomenon. The stone
stands beside the Usui family tomb in the graveyard at the Saihoji
temple, Tokyo. |
March
1927 |
|
A
marker-stone was erected atop the family tomb by Fuji Usui.
The tomb would later also become the resting place for Usui-sensei's
wife, Sadako, and both their children) |
| 1927 |
|
A woman named Chio Uno (1898-1996) scandalized Japanese society
by cutting her hair short! |
| 1928 |
|
Wasaburo
Sugano (Uncle of Mrs Chiyoko Yamaguchi) said to have learned Reiki from Hayashi
Sensei |
| Mar
4, 1928 |
|
Article
about Reiki by Shou Matsui (a student of Chujiro Hayashi
) appears in a Japanese magazine: 'The Sunday Mainichi' |
| 1928 |
|
Toshihiro
Eguchi established his own school: Eguchi Te-no-hira Ryoji
Kenkyukai (Palm Treatment Research Association) |
| 1928 |
|
A
book entitled "The Essentials of Seiki Self-Healing",
by Jozo Ishii was published by the Seiki
Ryoho Institute. The term: Seiki translates as 'Vital
Life-Force' |
| 1929 |
|
Eguchi
began teaching his healing system to members of Tenko Nishida's
Ittoen Community |
| 1930 |
|
Hayashi-Sensei
had begun to restructure his own system, referred to as: Hayashi
Reiki Ryoho Kenkyukai - something which would in time evolve
into the therapeutic modality learned by Takata-Sensei between
1935 and 1938,
and later presented by her as 'Usui Shiki Ryoho'. |
| 1930 |
|
Hawayo
Takata's husband, Saichi, died. |
| 1930 |
|
Toshihiro
Eguchi published: Te-no-hira Ryoji Nyumon (An Introduction
to Healing with the Palms) |
| 1931 |
|
Hayashi-Sensei
left the Gakkai. By this time he apparently stopped teaching
the original Usui-Do system, although he had conferred Shichidan
status on Tatsumi
and at least 11 other students.
Eguchi had also left the Gakkai by this time (some suggest he
had joined the Gakkai for a year out of respect to Usui, but
left because he was unhappy with the ultra-nationalistic attitudes
of the Naval Officers), however he continued to teach Usui-Do
alongside his own system - one of his Shichidan level students
being Yuji Onuki. |
| 1933/4 |
|
Kaiji
Tomita, who, after Usui-Sensei's death, went on to establish
the 'Tomita Teate Ryohokai' (Tomita Hand-Healing Centre), wrote
a book entitled: Reiki To Jinjutsu - Tomita Ryu Teate Ryoho
(Reiki & Humanitarian Work - Tomita Ryu Hand Healing. |
| 1935 |
|
Chiyoko
Yamaguchi's elder sister Katsue apparently studied Reiki in Daishoji in
the North of Japan |
| 1935 |
|
Usui-Sensei's
daughter, Toshiko, died |
|
1935
|
|
Hawayo
Takata travelled to Yamaguchi City, Japan to inform her parents
of the death of one of her sisters, and also brought her late
husband's ashes to be interred in Kyoto.
After receiving Reiki treatment for several health conditions,
Hawayo Takata was accepted into a 6-month internship at Hayashi-Sensei's
clinic.
During this time, Hawayo Takata moved into the Hayashi's
home - essentially as an uchideshi - a live-in student
who receives special training.
|
|
1936
|
|
On
completion of internship, Hawayo Takata initiated into second
degree
|
|
1936
|
|
It
is suggested by some that Hawayo Takata and Hayashi-Sensei's
wife: Chie, both received the master level initiation during this year.
|
|
Jun
1936
|
|
Takata-Sensei
returned to Hawaii aboard the Taiyo Maru,
and set about establishing her Reiki Practice
|
Jul
1937 | | Takata-Sensei visited Japan again, spending a couple of months with Hayashi-sensei. |
Sept.15
1937 | | Takata-Sensei sets sail for Hawaii |
|
Sept. 24 1937
|
|
Chujiro Hayashi and his
daughter, Kiyoe, set sail from Yokahama on the M. S.
'Chichibu Maru'
See: HERE
|
Oct. 2
1937 | | Chujiro Hayashi and his
daughter Kiyoe arrive in Honolulu, Hawaii. The pair would remain in Hawaii
for approximately 4 months 3 weeks, during which time they would
accompany Hawayo Takata on a lecture tour to promote the art of Reiki
Healing. |
|
Feb,
21
1938
|
|
Takata-Sensei
certified by Chujiro Hayashi as: "a practitioner and
Master of Dr. Usui's Reiki system of healing"
|
Feb,
22
1938 | | Chujiro Hayashi and his
daughter Kiyoe leave Honolulu ofr Japan, aboard the 'Tatsuta Maru' |
| 1938 |
|
Chiyoko
Yamaguchi began studying Reiki in Daishoji in the North of Japan |
Jan
1,
1940 |
|
Hawayo
Takata had a nocturnal vision of Hayashi-Sensei. Fearing something
was wrong, she wrote to her daughter who was living with the
Hayashis while attending school in Tokyo. Although her daughter
replied that all seemed well, Takata remained disturbed by the
vision for some time, eventually deciding to set sail for Japan
in late March |
April
12,
1940 |
|
Takata
arrived at Yokahama and made her way to Tokyo. On her arrival,
Hayashi-Sensei instructed her to go to Kyoto and study Hydrotherapy. |
May
9, 1940
|
|
Hayashi
-Sensei wired Takata to come immediately to his summer Villa
in Atami, near Mt. Fuji. |
|
May
11, 1940
|
|
Cognisant
of the likely entry of Japan into what we now designate W.W.II,
and of the moral and ethical conflict between resuming military
duty and his Reiki values, Hayashi Sensei - in the presence
of Takata Sensei and his other students - committed seppuku
(suicide). It is said that Hayashi-Sensei was cremated
and his ashes interred at a Temple in Tokyo.
|
| | |
|
|
|
Prior
to committing suicide, Hayashi-Sensei apparently bequeathed
his Tokyo home (and his Clinic?) to Takata-Sensei, leaving
the Atami villa to his wife. It was his wish, it seems, that
Takata -Sensei continue his work. However, she decided to
return to Hawaii - allowing Chie Hayashi to continue to live
in the Tokyo house. Chie, it seems, also took over the running
of the Hayashi Reiki Ryoho Kenkyukai clinic
|
| |
|
Partly,
one assumes, as a result of Japan's entry into the war, Takata-Sensei
is said to have lost contact with both the Hayashi Reiki Ryoho
Kenkyukai itself and with other Japanese Reiki practitioners.
It is commonly believed that it would be more than 40 years before contact with
Japanese Reiki practitioners would be re-established...
However,
in one of her recorded talks, Takata Sensei states that fourteen
years after Hayashi Sensei's death, she made a return visit
to Japan and met with his wife Chie, handing back ownership
of the Tokyo property to her...
|
 |
|
THE
HISTORY OF REIKI (Unless, of course, you know differently
...)
'ORIGINAL'
REIKI INFORMATION:
'REIKI
REVISIONISTS', OR 'REIKI MYTHMAKERS'?
|
