Timeline of Reiki history - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Below is a time line of Reiki
Reiki
is a spiritual practice developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui. The teaching was continued and adapted by various teachers. It uses a technique commonly called palm healing as a form of complementary and alternative medicine and is sometimes classified as oriental medicine by some...

's history, including events and information regarding prominent Reiki characters who helped develop the system into what is known as modern day Reiki.

1873

The ban on Christianity is lifted (relevant to the deceptive history of Reiki provided by Hawayo Takata
Hawayo Takata
Hawayo Hiromi Takata , a Japanese-American born in Hanamaulu, Territory of Hawaii, introduced Reiki to the Western World. As a Nisei fluent in the language and culture of both Japan and the United States, she was well-suited for this task and her contributions in this area are widely acknowledged...

in 1970).

1900s

During the 1990s it was discovered that the history of Reiki as told by Hawayo Takata was not correct. The Christian and medical background were probably introduced to allow better acceptance of the Japanese technique in the western world.

1906

Birthdate of Kimiko Koyama, the 6th President of the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai from 1975 until 1999.

1915

The Tendai Buddhist nun "Suzuki-san" allegedly becomes the first female student of Mikao Usui, remaining under his training until his death in 1926.
The book "Kenzen no Genri" is published. Author: Dr. Bizan Suzuki. The Reiki Precepts were first printed in this book.

1917

March 10: Hawayo Kawamuru and Saichi Takata got married and Hawayo Kawamuru became Hawayo Takata.

1918

Chujiro Hayashi becomes the Northern Japan Mt. Osore Director of Ominato Port Defense Station.
Mikao Usui begins practice of Zen and the Zazen meditation form.

1920

Chiyoko Yamaguchi is born. Chiyoko-san founded Jikiden Reiki.
Toshihiro Eguchi studies under Mikao Usui.

1921

Mikao Usui is hired as an administrative assistant in the Department of Health and Welfare.
Mikao Usui incorporates the principles from the book "Kenzen no Genri" into his practice.

1922

Mikao Usui spends a 21-day meditation retreat on Mountain Kurama Yama.
Mikao Usui opens his first commercial Reiki clinic.
Mikao Usui introduces Reiju Empowerments to his student base.

1923

Mikao Usui implements the grading system used in the martial art practice Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...

as Reiki Levels.
Mikao Usui finances the construction of The Torii Gate located at the Amataka Shrine.
September 1: The Great Kanto earthquake hit Tokyo and Yokohama, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale.

1924

Mikao Usui relocates his commercial Reiki business to Nakano
Nakano
-People:Nakano is also a Japanese family name.* Ayako Nakano* Chikayo Nakano* Daisuke Nakano* George Nakano* Hiroko Nakano* Hiroyuki Nakano* Junya Nakano* Kansei Nakano* Kazuo Nakano* Keiko Nakano* Koichi Nakano* Kiyoshi Nakano* Kumiko Nakano...

, a province located just outside of Tokyo.

1925

May: Chujiro Hayashi becomes a student of Mikao Usui.
Kaiji Tomita, a student of Mikao Usui, introduces four levels of Reiki practice: Shoden, Chuuden, Okuden and Kaiden. There are commonly three degrees in Western Reiki: Shoden (Level 1), Okuden (Level 2), and Shinpiden (Level 3 - Teacher/Master level).

1926

Mikao Usui had been experiencing significant trouble paying his bills. He travelled to Fukuyama to negotiate a resolution with his creditors and died of a stroke in the process.
Chujiro Hayashi claims ownership of Mikao Usui's commercial Reiki practice. The practice is relocated to The Shinano Machi district.
Juusaburo Gyuda, Japanese Naval Rear Admiral forms the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai.

1927

February: Memorial stone erected to honour Mikao Usui at Saihoji Temple located in Tokyo, Japan.

1928

Chujiro Hayashi accepts Wasaburo Sugano as a student.
March 4: Shou Matsui authors the first article to appear in a magazine about Reiki.
Eguchi Te-no-hira Ryoji Kenkyukai founded by Toshihiro Eguchi.

1930

Chujiro Hayashi renames what he teaches Hayashi Reiki Ryoho Kenkyukai.
The book "Te-no-hira Ryoji Nyumon" is published by Toshihiro Eguchi.

1931

Chujiro Hayashi is asked to leave The Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai for not respecting or practising by the standards set forth by Mikao Usui.

1935

Toshiko Usui (daughter of Mikao Usui) and Jusaburo Ushida die.
Hawayo Takata travels to Japan and receives her first Reiki treatment.
Hawayo Takata becomes a student of Chujiro Hayashi and moves into his home.

1938

February 21: Hawayo Takata receives her Reiki Master Certificate from Chujiro Hayashi.
Chiyoko Yamaguchi becomes a student of Chujiro Hayashi's version of Reiki.

1940

Hawayo Takata writes to her daughter who was living with Chujiro Hayashi and arranges a visit in March.
Hawayo Takata arrives in Japan. Chujiro Hayashi instructs her to live in Kyoto.
Chujiro Hayashi bequeaths his house and Reiki clinic to his wife.
May 11: Chujiro Hayashi commits seppuku
Seppuku
is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. Seppuku was originally reserved only for samurai. Part of the samurai bushido honor code, seppuku was either used voluntarily by samurai to die with honor rather than fall into the hands of their enemies , or as a form of capital punishment...

.