Takata-Sensei's Diaries

EXTRACTS FROM TAKATA-SENSEI'S DIARIES 1935/1936

Below are a couple of extracts from Takata Sensei's early diaries, written while she was studying Reiki with Hayashi Sensei.

For the Reiki community at large, I feel these extracts provide valuable insight into Takata-sensei's early understandings about Reiki, and importantly, I feel (particularly in the current climate where some factions of the Reiki community aligned with certain supposedly 'original' Japanese styles of Reiki, are seemingly intent on attempting to discredit the importance and validity of Usui Shiki Ryoho), these extracts also provide supporting evidence pertaining to Takata-sensei's indepth and ongoing 'uchi deshi' training under Hayashi-sensei's tutelage.

[Over the years, these extracts have been published on a number of English language Reiki web sites, also on a couple of Japanese sites, (and I seem to recall, on several sites in European languages).

They have also appeared in several Reiki manuals, as well as in numerous Reiki course-handouts.

Below are photocopies of the actual diary pages from which these extracts are taken.
For the sake of clarity, I have also included typed extracts of the text.

In the first extract, dated Dec. 10, 1935, Takata Sensei speaks of the meaning of Reiki.

Notice that she does not write the word as 'Reiki', but rather as 'Leiki'.

There is no true 'r' sound in Japanese. The actual sound identified by 'R' in 'Reiki' is a sort of a blending of 'R' & 'L'.

Extract (a) from Takata-sensei's diary Dec !0, 1935
Extract (b) from Takata-sensei's diary Dec !0, 1935

In the second extract, from May 1936, Takata Sensei makes mention of 'Shinpi Den, Kokiyu-Ho and the Leiji-Ho' (or as we know them: Shinpiden, Kokyu-Ho and Reiji-Ho).

Extract from Takata-sensei's diary, May 1936

THE MEANING OF "LEIKI"

Dec. 10 1935

"Meaning of "Leiki" Energy within oneself, when concentrated and applied to patient, will cure all ailments. It is nature's greatest cure, which requires no drugs. It helps in all respects, human and animal life. In order to concentrate one must purify one's thoughts in words and in thoughts and to meditate to let the "Energy" come out from within. It lies in the bottom of your stomach about 2 in. below the navel*. Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, concentrate on your thought and relax, close your hands together and wait for the sign. Kindly and gently apply the hands starting from head downward. The patient who is about to receive this treatment must purify one's thought feel comfortable and a desire to get well. One must not forget to feel grateful. Gratitude is a great cure for the mind. In all cases, the patient could be diagnosed just by the touch of hand."

*an "Energy within oneself"
we must "meditate to let the "Energy" come out from within"
"It lies in the bottom of your stomach about 2 in. below the navel."

This would seem to be a very different view of Reiki from that commonly held by many people today...

SHINPI DEN, KOKIYU-HO & LEIJI-HO

May 1936

"... to them, it makes me feel good and very encouraging. What was more than pleasing was that Mr Hayashi has granted to bestow upon me the secrets of Shinpi Den, Kokiyu-Ho and the Leiji-Ho, the utmost secret in the Energy Science.*

Know one can imagine my happiness to think that I have the honor and respect to be treated with this gift -- a gift of a lifetime and I promised within me to do my utmost in regard to this beautiful wonderful teaching that I just received. I shall promise to do what is right thru sincereness and kindness and shall regard and respect the teaching and its teacher with utmost reverence and respect."

*This one sentence is rather interesting and revealing.

Today, we understand the term 'Shinpiden' - or 'Mystery Teachings' - to refer to Level III (Master Level) in some versions of the Reiki Grading system.

We must remember that at the time (unlike today) master-level training and initiation was something not automatically offered to every level 2 student.

So it would seem to suggest that, by this date, Hayashi-sensei had already made the decision that Hawayo Takata possessed the correct moral character, and was displaying the necessary understanding, ability and aptitudes, of a student destined to be initiated and trained as a master.

In the same sentence there is also mention of 'Kokiyu-Ho' **or, as it is more commonly known by many today, the 'breath empowerment method'.

Nothing strange here; but Hawayo Takata then goes on to speak of "the Leiji-Ho, the utmost secret in the Energy Science."

Today, we understand the term Leiji/Reiji-Ho or 'Indication of the Spirit' - to refer to the process of receiving Spiritual guidance in the placing of your hands to give treatment.

Now, while in our modern understanding, Leiji/Reiji-Ho (whether known by this name or not) is indeed recognised as a valuable skill or technique in both 'Japanese' and 'Western' schools of Reiki, surely (in our modern understanding of the term) it could not be said to constitute "the utmost secret in the Energy Science."?

Unless of course, the term Leiji/Reiji-Ho had a subtly different meaning in Hayashi's teachings at the time?

______

**More generally,'Kokiyu-Ho' also refers to various breathing techniques for development, strengthening and purification of ki