Usui Reiki Ryoho a deeper understanding

Reiki was re-discovered in the mid nineteenth century by Usui Mikao.

In the west we call the founder of Reiki Mikao Usui, however, throughout my site you will see I refer to the founder as Usui Mikao and this is because in Japan it is culturally correct to write the surname first and the forename last.

Usui Mikao was born in the village of Taniai, Japan on the 15th August 1865. He was born into a Hatamoto Samurai family (Hatamoto Samurai were the Shogun's personal bodyguards). It is believed that he was an ancestor of the famous Samurai warlord Toshitane Chiba (1500's) and that in 1551 Toshitane Chiba conquered the city of Usui and after that all family members acquired the name Usui. 

Usui Mikao was also born a Tendai Buddhist and was born into Japan's privileged class.

Usui Mikao married Sadako Suzuki and had two children. The family's ashes are buried at a gravesite at the Saihoji Temple in Tokyo.

As an adult Usui Mikao visited Europe, America and studied in China. Later in life he became a Tendai priest called 'Zaike' and took the buddhist name of Gyho, Gyohan or Gyotse. It is believed that Usui Mikao's teachings included techniques and jumon (related to todays mantras) based on Shinto practices.

Usui Mikao taught 'Usui Do' (The way of Usui) and what he practiced on people was 'Usui Teate' (Usui hand on healing). The aim of his teachings was to enable students to reach spiritual enlightenment, the healings were actually an amazing 'side effect' of the teachings. An important part of his teachings was the reiju (attunement) and the 5 precepts.

The 5 Reiki Precepts:

Only for today:

• Do not anger
• Do not worry
• Be humble
• Be honest in your work
• Be compassionate to yourself and others

The Moment of Discovery

Usui Mikao discovered Reiki when undertaking a practice called  Kushu Shinren (literally translated this means 'kushu' - painful discipline and 'shinren' - difficult training. He undertook this practice on Mount Kurama (or Kurama Yama as it is known as in Japan).

On his memorial stone it is written as follows:

One day, he climed Kurama Yama and after 21 days of a severe discipline without eating, he suddenly felt One Great Reiki over his head and attained enlightenment and he obtained Reiki Ryoho. Then, he tried it on himself and experimented on his family members. The efficacy was immediate (from Mikao Usui memorial stone, 1927).

From this moment on Reiki began to filter through via Usui Mikao and continues reach more and more people day by day.

What is the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai ?

A well known society in Japan that was formed after the passing of Usui Mikao with Usui Mikao named as the honourary first president. The Usui Reiki ryoho Gakkai was set up in various cities throughout Japan.

Members meet on a regular (often weekly) basis to practice techniques under the guidance of head teachers or Shihan.

The Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai is a closed society and one can only gain entry by invitation therefore many of its secrets remain untold. 

above picture with kind thanks to www.bigfoto.com