Hawayo Kawamuru was born on the Island of Hawaii on 24th December 1900. At the age of seventeen she married Saichi Takata. They had a happy marriage with two daughters. Tragically, her husband died at the young age of thirty-two. After thirteen years of marriage Hawayo Takata was left to raise two small children on her own.
The stress and pressure of the situation took toll on her health. Within five years of her
husbands’ death she was diagnosed to be suffering from nervous exhaustion. Her health
deteriorated to the point where she required surgery for a diseased gall bladder. However, she was also suffering from respiratory problems that meant the use of an anaesthetic during surgery could kill her. This was an extremely depressing and trying time in her life. Unfortunately there was more pain and suffering to come when her sister died. As her parents had returned to live in Tokyo, it was Hawayo Takata traditional responsibility to bring the news to them in person.
After her arrival in Japan, she sought help at a hospital in Akasaka. It was discovered that she now had a tumour and appendicitis to add to her diseased gallbladder and respiratory problems. Her weight dropped dramatically and her doctor advised her to have immediate surgery.
That night as she lay in bed she heard a voice saying, “The surgery is not necessary.” The next day as she was being prepared for surgery she heard the voice again saying, “The surgery was not necessary, ask - ask.” Takata asked the surgeon if there was another way she could be healed and he told her of the Reiki clinic run by Dr. Hayashi. The surgeon had a sister who had been there herself and had recovered fully from an illness. Madam Takata went to the clinic and received treatments regularly for four months and was completely healed. She decided that she also wanted to learn Reiki and set up her own practice in Hawaii. Against all tradition, she was eventually able to persuade Dr. Hayashi to allow her to work and train at the clinic for twelve months. At the end of this time it was felt that she had earned the privilege of receiving the second degree in Reiki – the advanced practitioners’ level.
In the summer of 1937 Madam Takata returned to Hawaii and set up her own Reiki clinic. She spent her time healing and teaching Reiki. Dr Hayashi visited Madam Takata in February 1938 and invited her to become a Reiki Master. He said that she had gone
through tests and had lived up to the Reiki Ideals and principles. She was the first woman and the first foreigner to be given this honour. Hayashi returned to Japan.
At the beginning of 1940 Japan was close to war with America. Dr Hayashi was aware he would be called up to fight. As a man of healing and peace he decided the only honourable thing to do was to precipitate his transition. He put his affairs in order. Madam Takata woke up one morning and saw a vision of Dr Hayashi at the foot of her bed. She realised she must travel immediately to Japan. On arrival in Japan she met with Dr Hayashi and he explained his decision to leave this world. They spent many days planning the future. When Hayashi was satisfied he had safeguarded the future of Reiki he called all his students and friends together. At this point he declared Madam Takata his successor and the third Grand Master of Reiki. Dressed in traditional Japanese attire he lay down and allowed his spirit to leave his body. Madam Takata installed as the next Grand Master returned to Hawaii to continue her teaching and healing.
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Madam Takata went on to train a further twenty two Reiki Masters before her death in
December 1980.
Let’s make Dr Usui, Dr Hayashi and Madam Takata Proud. Let’s honour their
work and their memory. Let’s live and internalise the Reiki Principles.