REIKI AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE
Copyright © 2007 James Deacon

Probably not many people are aware that the Harley Davidson Company began selling motorcycles in Japan in 1913.

Even fewer people realise that one of the first Harleys to go on sale there was purchased by a clerical officer at the British Embassy in Tokyo.

Fewer still are aware that the gentleman in question, one Herbert Dalfoyle-Briggs, was a good friend of Mikao Usui.

Apparently the two used to meet regularly at the Embassy, where they would pass several hours playing chess and discussing a wide range of shared interests including Philosophy, Poetry, Literature and most importantly - Cricket. (Seems Usui-sensei had an absolute passion for the game.)

Now, as luck would have it, it transpired that Usui-sensei visited the Embassy later on same the day that Dalfoyle-Briggs had taken delivery of his brand new Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Dalfoyle-Briggs, who it seems could hardly contain himself, was waiting in the Embassy foyer.

Following brief yet formal greetings, eagerly, Dalfoyle-Briggs ushered Usui-sensei through the Embassy gardens to a small yard in which his new prized possession stood gleaming in the late afternoon sunlight.

After some moments of fawning over his new acquisition, singing its praises, recounting its specifications - oh, and every now and then polishing away some almost invisible mark or fingerprint from the wonderful piece of American engineering with a large white (and up to this point, immaculate,) handkerchief - Dalfoyle-Briggs straddled the machine and attempted to fire the great engine into life.

But to no avail.

Again and again he tried, without success; as slowly the expression on his face turned to one of dejection.

It took Usui-sensei a couple of moments to realise what the problem was; and as if not wanting to be overheard (even though there was no-one else in sight) he leaned forward and quietly spoke to his friend:

"May I make a suggestion? Perhaps you might try pulling out the choke"

"Hurray!" cheered Dalfoyle-Briggs as the Harley Davidson instantly powered into life.

"Hmm", Usui-sensei thought to himself, as he watched his friend roaring across the yard on the splendid machine, "...choke. Hurray! and the power is suddenly there... Choke. Hurray... choke-hurray...
Yes, I like the sound of these English words... Must remember them...
I don't quite know why, but I have a feeling...

I might just possibly have some use for them, one day..."