HAYASHI REIKI RYOHO KENKYU-KAI
&
HAYASHI SHIKI REIKI RYOHO

(Hayashi Reiki Treatment Research Association &
the 'Hayashi Style Reiki Treatment/Healing Method')
Copyright © 2005 James Deacon
[Updated May 2015]

Chujiro Hayashi, a Medical Doctor, graduated at the Japanese Naval Academy in 1902, and in 1918 was appointed Director of Ominato Port Defense Station, at the foot of Mt Osore, Northern Japan.

Hayashi-Sensei has been described by Shou Matsui as "a warm-hearted yet serious man".

In May 1925, he apparently began studying at Usui-Sensei's dojo (training centre) in Nakano, outside of Tokyo, progressing rapidly and competently through the grades to Shinpiden level.

A few months after Usui-Sensei's death in 1926, Hayashi-Sensei is believed to have been instrumental in having the dojo moved to Shinano Machi (where apparently his own clinic was).

Shou Matsui (writing in 1928) mentioned that Hayashi-Sensei would give Reiki treatments to clients in the mornings, and also taught Reiki Ryoho for five days each month. (It seems that in the late 20's, Shoden level training was for an hour and a half a day over the five day period)

In 1930, so we are told, Hayashi-Sensei had begun modify his approach to Reiki (presumably to bring it more in line with his own understanding of clinical methodology/practice) and it was some time around this period that he established the Hayashi Reiki Ryoho Kenkyukai (Hayashi Reiki Treatment Research Association).

Hayashi-Sensei eventually left the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai in 1931.

One of Hayashi-Sensei's students - Chiyoko Yamaguchi (Jikiden Reiki), referred to his system as Hayashi Shiki Reiki Ryoho (Hayashi Style Reiki Treatment/Healing Method)

We know from Takata-sensei that her training with Hayashi-Sensei took the form of an internship at his clinic - her own apprenticeship for lasting somewhere in the region of six months.

However, she also tells us that initial tuition for the first level or grade consisted of four days of training - a separate initiation being given on each day.

Day 1 dealt with treatment of the head and neck, and related medical conditions
Day 2 - treatment of the front of the body
Day 3 - treatment of the back, spine and nervous systems
Day 4 dealt with treatment of accidents and acute illnesses; and also with the spiritual aspects of Reiki - including the Principles

[Chiyoko Yamaguchi (Jikiden Reiki) claimed that, in 1938, her training with Hayashi-sensei took a form not dissimilar to this initial 'seminar'-style teaching (though perhaps of a somewhat simplified nature - as apparently it consisted of both Level 1 and 2, presented over a single five-day period.]

Takata-sensei tells us that Haysahi-sensei's clinic was quite small, with 8 treatment couches; and that generally at least two practitioners/students would give treatment to each patient. (Not counting Haysahi-sensei and his wife Chie, there were apparently 17 other practitioners at the clinic when Takata-sensei began her apprenticeship there)

Hayashi-Sensei is credited with the introduction of the formal set of treatment hand-positions taught in 'western' Reiki.

[Though, as Chiyoko Yamaguchi was apparently not taught formal positions when she studied with him in 1938, it seems likely that he either modified his teaching to suit particular types of student, or else had decided to revert to Usui-Sensei's more intuitive approach to hand-placement.]

Hayash-Sensei's system focussed primarily on Reiki as a practical method of hands-on treatment, playing down some of the more spiritual elements of the Usui system.

He used and taught the 4 symbols as a central component of his system, and - though we cannot be absolutely certain about this - he is possibly also responsible for the creation of the denju attunement format taught in 'western' Reiki.

We are told that in the early 30's Hayashi-Sensei taught Reiki in four levels named: Shoden, Chuden, Okuden and Shinpiden, though by the time he taught Takata-Sensei, the system had only three levels.

He also created a 9-section 'treatment guidelines' booklet - known as the Hayashi Ryoho Shishin which was given to his students. [It is possible that he was also responsible for creating a similar guide known as the Usui Ryoho Shishin ]

During 1935-6 Hawayo Takata studied at Hayashi-Sensei's clinic and it seems both Hawayo Takata and Hayashi-Sensei's wife: Chie, received the master level initiation possibly some time in early or mid 1936.

After Hayashi-Sensei committed seppuku (suicide) at his Villa in Atami, near Mt. Fuji in 1940, his wife Chie took over the running of his Reiki clinic. (Even though Hayashi-Sensei's daughter had accompanied him on a tour to promote Reiki in Hawaii, it seems she had no interest in becoming involved with the clinic. The same was true for Hayashi-Sensei's son)

It was Hayashi-Sensei's modification and development of the Usui system [evolving it into a clinically-presented hands-on healing practice] that Takata-Sensei would later present to the West as 'Usui Shiki Ryoho' (Usui Style Treatment/Healing Method).