Shou Matsui’s 1928 Reiki Article

Below is a reproduction of an e-book article copied from James Deacon’s REIKI PAGES at http://www.aetw.org. It refers to a 1928 article in a Japanese newspaper about Reiki. I have not tried to verify the original source of the material but it is an interesting article nonetheless. Shou Matsuri was taught Reiki by Chujiro Hayashi.

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Shou Matsui’s 1928 Reiki Article by James Deacon (Version 1.00)

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Shou Matsui’s 1928 Reiki Article: "A Palm-Healing Treatment to Cure Diseases"

Shou Matsui (1870 - 1933) had worked as a journalist before becoming well-known as a playwright and drama teacher, and supporter of the traditional form of Japanese Theatre called Kabuki. He was also one of Chujiro Hayashi's Reiki students. Even as a playwright Mr. Matsui continued to write articles and reviews, etc, including one particular Reiki-promoting piece, published in the 'Nichiyoubi Mainichi' [Sunday Every Day] Magazine, on March 4th, 1928.

In response to a request from a reader who wrote: I would like to learn about the treatment introduced in the book presentation by Shou Matsui in the 'Mainichi' on January 30th.

Mr. Matsui responds:

"I am pleased to discuss this method. This cure-all treatment is called "Reiki Ryoho" and is practiced by an elite group of people. It was created, or rather founded, by Sensei Mikao Usui who passed away a few years ago. Currently, his students have clinics where they practice healing and train others in Reiki Ryoho. Although remarkable in its effectiveness, not many people are familiar with this treatment. Sensei Mikao Usui did not like to advertise Reiki Ryoho and so his students are also hesitant in publicizing it."

Mr. Matsui goes on to say that he really can't see why they don't make an effort to publicize Reiki Ryoho. He comments about how various religions proclaim and spread their teachings - speaks of the positive use of propaganda and how if the truth can make people happy then it should be a person’s duty to spread the truth.

He continues: "So it is that when asked, I always promote this Reiki Ryoho in a positive way. I will write about it if asked. Yet my doing so attracts criticism from other Reiki Ryoho practitioners. I do think it is a shame to refrain from publicizing such a great healing technique. It is a both a moral and a social shame and I am always pleased to promote it."

Mr. Matsui continues to explain that he wouldn't like readers or other journalists to get the wrong impression. He does not want people to think that the reason Reiki Ryoho practitioners generally do not promote their art is because it is all sham and trickery. "So, I will take on the responsibility and promote the truth about Reiki, both for the sake of the art and for the sake of those who are suffering. In writing this, I am acting on my own - these are my thoughts, and I am responsible for them, this has nothing to do with other Reiki Ryoho practitioners. I find I am so excited about this treatment that I can hardly concentrate on scriptwriting since having learned how to use it."

It is, Mr. Matsui says, his desire to promote Reiki Ryoho far and wide, so that not only the Japanese people, but people all over the world will be free from disease, know excellent health and be much happier. Yet in the same breath, he mentions how in the years since Reiki Ryoho was first developed by Mikao Usui, only a handful of clinics have actually been established to provide this wonderful treatment. Mr. Matsui goes on to speak about how he was initiated into Reiki by Chujiro Hayashi – a warm-hearted yet serious man, according to Matsui - one who seemed as if he had been destined from birth to work with Reiki. He mentions that Chujiro Hayashi gives Reiki treatments to clients in the morning, and teaches Reiki Ryoho for five days each month. He then goes on to explain that, because there are numerous other treatment methods and sects, which have the syllable ‘Rei’ in their name, many people incorrectly assume Reiki Ryoho is, connected with these other groups. [Note: in the early part of the 20th Century, several such groups were viewed with suspicion due to supposed 'cultist' behaviour] And, as Reiki Ryoho practitioners are unwilling to speak out and clarify their beliefs and position, it is little wonder that this much-needed treatment style has not grown in popularity.

"I would like to state that, of all the treatment methods I have encountered, Reiki Ryoho is the most effective and the most unique. It can really heal, whatever the disorder. People ask: 'is Reiki Ryoho effective in dealing with psychological disorders?' Yes it is, and it can also heal all manner of internal diseases and external injuries as well. Intestinal problems, burns, rheumatism, nervous problems - the lot!"

Reiki Ryoho, Mr. Matsui explains, is considered a spiritual technique - as the "Rei" part of the name suggests. However, he himself considers it to be a very practical, physical technique. Mr. Matsui says he bases this belief on his personal experience, having successfully treated more than a hundred patients. He says that some people put the effects of Reiki Ryoho on a par with the miracle healings of Jesus, but that he, Matsui, is simply a normal, practical-minded, and common person - not a great person, not a man of great character. He does claim to be 'spiritually advanced'. To him, Reiki Ryoho is not something supernatural, but a natural, physiological treatment method.

He then goes on to give some examples of disorders he has treated, explaining that he has effected many such healings which, though seemingly miraculous, are simply the result of applying a practical treatment (Reiki Ryoho) which stimulates the body's self healing mechanisms. Explaining how he gives treatment, Mr. Matsui says: "I simply place my hands on the affected part. I don't push or pat. To me, this is the interesting point about this healing method. I scan the patient's whole body, sense the source of the disorder, treat that area, and the healing effect is dramatic. I can discover the source of disease because I will feel pain when I place my hands there. Depending on the disorder, the intensity of pain differs, but I am not sure of the precise relationship between the condition of the disorder and the intensity of pain felt. I don't just feel this pain in my hands at the point indicated by the patient, I also feel it at the point which is the source of disease, so I can find the treatment point easily. Unlike doctors, I do not need the patient to tell me where and how they experience their disorder. Patients may be suspicious about my treatment, but no matter, within thirty minutes to two hours their condition will undergo a noticeable change. As an example, take a man with serious heart disease. His pulse is 85 beats per minute and he feels pain in the heart. His doctor says there is cardiovascular constriction. Yet I don't feel any pain in my palms when I place my hands over his heart. But as I move down to the area of the stomach, the intestines, and the kidneys, I experience sensations of pain and so I give Reiki treatment to these areas. In a short time his condition improves. So why is the heart condition healed? And why do the healer's hands experience pain? These are important questions. It really is a mystery how disorders, which the doctor has given up on, can be healed by laying hands on the body. While it cannot be truly explained, it is generally seen as a spiritual phenomenon. In my opinion, the blood circulation in my hands has increased since I was initiated by Mr. Hayashi. I am unable to reveal Mr. Hayashi's teaching method and initiation process, but certainly this was what gave me the healing ability, and strongly sensitized my hands. Anyway, I believe the increased circulation in my hands stimulates the patients own blood circulation when I place my hands on their body."

Mr. Matsui then explains that in his view, the patient's circulation and pulse rate become synchronized with those of the therapist and this is how healing occurs. He goes on to say: "When I speak to them about Reiki Ryoho, most 'intelligent' people will say, "It must be 'Animal Electricity'." But, he continues, current science doesn't clearly understand the nature of electricity, and likewise the true nature of Reiki cannot be easily explained or defined now. Mr. Matsui says that, in his opinion, the effect of Reiki treatment could be due to something such as the 'ether' - but as the 'ether' has not been not examined scientifically either, people will laugh at him. "But when I need to explain to a patient about the Reiki effect, "ether" is a good analogy." He says that he cannot explain clearly and correctly - that he does not have the mathematical skill. " Anyway, now I am satisfied with the practical effect of Reiki. And at first, even I laughed at the idea of this treatment." He explains that one day he told a friend that as he was feeling unwell he thought he might take up playing golf. The friend, whose opinion Matsui valued has told him about Reiki. "I became interested in it, and while not really believing in it, I and my family took training in it." Mr. Matsui says that, soon after starting to learn Reiki, he had occasion to try Reiki Ryoho on a man who had a fish bone stuck in his throat. " I tried Reiki Ryoho on him without expectation, and the pain was gone. It was then that I understood the essence of this treatment. I cannot laugh at the Reiki method anymore." "I was introduced to Mr. Hayashi by a mutual acquaintance and I paid a large sum of money to learn this treatment method. There are several grades including Shoden (elementary level) and Okuden (advanced level), but I am still at the elementary level - not yet having reached Okuden. I am not sure of all the details yet but I've heard there are further grades to achieve. Those involved with this Ryoho are very modest and don't like to boast about the wonderful treatment. It is odd that such modest people create grades and charge for initiation into this method, but I suppose we must accept that it is their prerogative. For this reason, I am not free to discuss the means of initiation into this healing ability, or the precise details of its application."

However, Mr. Matsui does say that he feels he can speak briefly about some aspects of Reiki Ryoho training: "To begin learning Reiki Ryoho, you train for an hour and a half a day for five days. Some people can heal others from the very first day of training. It's so easy to learn this treatment. A special inherent state of consciousness, like a sixth sense, is awakened by the training and the ability to heal is activated. The Teacher gives clear and simple instruction. The ability is common to all people and everyone except babies can use it to heal others. The treatment involves simply placing your hands on the affected part. There is nothing easier than our Reiki Ryoho. I should really like to share this treatment process, not just with an elite group of people, but with the general public, but I am unable to do so for the reason stated above. All I can do is to speak about Reiki Ryoho's existence so that as many people as possible will know about it."

After giving a further three examples of cases of healings he has effected with Reiki treatment, Mr. Matsui concludes: "I could go on recounting my stories of healings brought about by Reiki Ryoho. However, there are, no doubt, many sceptics who won’t believe me, and this is only natural if you haven't experienced it yourself. If you have some simple disorder, I can cure it easily. But I've little interest in treating easy cases because doctors can cure them, too. If you know of someone with a serious disorder - one beyond the help of doctors, please bring them to me, or if they are not able to come to me, I can visit them. But as you can appreciate, I am a busy man - with several scripts to complete for a couple of theatre companies in time for next month's productions. So I am unable to deal with many patients but, to test my palm-healing ability, I will treat a single patient suffering from a serious complaint."

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Date of posting : 28th October 2007