Mikao Usui was born on August 15, 1865, in Taniai (now Miyama cho), Japan. Since there were no schools in the small village where Usui lived, he received his early education in a local Buddhist temple. Usui was born into a family with ancient ties to the samurai. With these ancient ties, young Usui practiced martial arts, specifically in the techniques of aikido. In February, 1922 Usui ascended Mount Kurama Yama for 21 days with the hopes of finding anshin ritsumei (enlightenment). It is said that during this 21 day process, Usui developed the system of Reiki Ryoho. On March 9, 1926, Usui-sensei passed away after having a stroke and ensuing cerebral hemorrhage, in Fukuyama, Japan. His ashes are interred in Tokyo. A memorial, in his honor, was erected shortly after his death by his students and is located in at the Saihoji temple in the Suginami district of Tokyo.

We are so grateful to Usui-sensei for bringing Reiki Ryoho to the world.