While there are several versions of the history of Usui style Reiki, they all start in the early 1800s with one man: Mikao Usui. Mikao Usui searched many years for the lost secret of miraculous healing as was told of in the bible. While there were numerous references to healing through the laying on of hands in the sacred writings of many religions, there was no indication on how the ability was accessed. His search eventually led him to some ancient buddhist texts. These texts referred to a system of passing balancing, healing energy through the chakra system. The only problem was that an initiation was necessary and there was noone who could give him that initiation. Mikao Usui decided to go to a place of solitude on a mountain long said to be sacred where he would fast and meditate until he received the initiation, or died trying. On the morning of his fourteenth day on the mountain he was sitting, contemplating the horizon, when he saw a light streaking towards him. He braced for the impact and received the most incredible vision: aseries of symbols was presented to him along with instruction in the use of and an initiation for each symbol.

Master Usui spent many years traveling from town to town teaching Reiki and treating the sick. He would walk into town carrying a torch in broad daylight and when a crowd gathered to witness the spectacle, he would tell them if they really wanted to know about light, come to his classes. So began the Usui Shiki Ryoho (Usui School of Natural Healing).

Dr. Chujiro Hayashi is revered among Reiki practitioners for his part in facilitating the spread of Reiki to the western world. He operated a clinic in Kyoto, Japan, pre-World War II. Some sources say he was the Grand Master of the Usui Shiki Ryoho. Others would call him more of a rogue. At the time, Reiki was a jealously guarded secret not to be shared lightly. It was certainly not for Westerners (who scoffed at it to begin with). In addition, it was exclusively male. When a very ill Hawayo Takata received a treatment she was so amazed, she became determined to be become a practitioner. This was absolutely unheard of. Not only was she a Westerner, but a woman. Yet, she received training in the highest level of the Usui system and became a Reiki Master. It is through her that Reiki healing came to the West. In her book "The Hawayo Takata Story", Helen Haberly tells how, when war came to Japan, Master Hayashi knew he would be called to serve in the military. While he had once served in the Navy, he had since developed religious convictions that would not allow him to take part in a war. To ignore his country's call was not an option to him, so he chose to transition. That is, through his will and excellent control, he stopped his bodies processes. It was at this time that he commissioned Hawayo Takata to take Reiki to the west, to safeguard it from coming war.

Hawayo Takata was born in Hawaii to Japanese immigrants. From the beginning she was a girl with health issues. By the time she returned to Japan to bring news of the death of her parents, these issues were becoming serious. While in Japan it became necessary to undergo a surgical procedure. As she lay on the surgeon's table a voice came to Hawayo telling her that the operation was unnecessary. Twice and then three times the words were repeated, "This operation is not necessary!". Finally, wrapped only in a sheet, she sought the surgeon and asked if there was not another way. He referred her to Dr. Hayashi's clinic.

Her first Reiki treatment was a wonder to her. Several men entered the room where she lay fully clothed on a treatment table. They began to pass their hands about six inches above her body and talk amongst themselves about what they were finding. Their diagnosis exactly matched that of her surgeons! And there appeared to be heat coming from their hands. Hawayo actually grabbed one of their sleeves to look inside and find the source of that heat. Dr. Hayashi was quick to explain that although this woman looked Japanese, she was really from America and was to be excused her impolite behaviour. She arrived early for her ext treatment to inspect the underside of the table trying to find the source of that incredible heat. It was Dr. Hayashi's wife who explained to Hawayo what the Reiki energy was and where it came from. Hawayo knew instantly that her destiny was in learning this healing discipline. She brought this gift to the islands of Hawaii where her life's work consisted of giving Reiki treatments and attuning others to the Reiki energy. Because of her, there are now many schools of Reiki in the United States.