Alternate Currents: Reiki's Circulation in the Twentieth-Century North Pacific

Reiki, a spiritual healing practice that originated in Japan, became a global phenomenon in the second half of the twentieth century. Hawayo Takata, a Japanese American woman, played a significant role in bringing Reiki to Hawaii and North America, shaping interconnections across the North Pacific region and cultural transformations over the transwar period. Alternate Currents: Reikis Circulation in the Twentieth-Century North Pacific examines how Takata built a vast trans-Pacific network that connected Japanese American laborers, social elites, middle-class housewives, and off-the-grid tree planters. The book explores how these relationships were infused with values of their time and place and how they interplayed with Reiki's circulation, performance, and meanings. Reiki is presented as an exemplary transnational spiritual therapy that transcends artificial distinctions between religion and medicine and circulates in global systems while maintaining strong connections with its homeland.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2023
Publisher: University of Hawai'i Press

In the latter half of the 20th century, Reiki experienced a remarkable transformation, evolving from an obscure therapy practiced by a mere few thousand Japanese and Japanese Americans to a global phenomenon. By the early 21st century, individuals from nearly every corner of the world had undergone the necessary initiations to channel a cosmic energy known as Reiki, with the intention of healing the body, mind, and spirit. These practitioners engage in a range of practices, including placing their hands on themselves and others, employing secret symbols and incantations to transmit Reiki to distant recipients, and adhering to five precepts aimed at cultivating their spiritual growth. The international proliferation and development of Reiki can be attributed to the pioneering efforts of Hawayo Takata (1900–1980), a Hawaiian-born Japanese American woman who brought Reiki out of Japan and adapted it for thousands of students in Hawaii and North America. Takata's work not only shaped interconnections across the North Pacific region but also played a significant role in cultural transformations during the transwar period, spanning World War II.

Alternate Currents: Reikis Circulation in the Twentieth-Century North Pacific delves into the intricate web of relationships that Takata established during her lifetime. Through a meticulous examination of recently uncovered archival materials and original oral histories, Stein explores how these connections between healers and patients, masters and disciples, became deeply intertwined with the values of their respective time and place. He further investigates how these relationships intersected with the circulation, performance, and meanings of Reiki, as well as broader cultural shifts in the 20th-century North Pacific. The book is written in a highly accessible and informative style, with each chapter structured around a specific theme or aspect of Reiki's evolution and spread.

One of the key insights offered by Alternate Currents is the role that Japanese American laborers played in the dissemination of Reiki. During the mid-20th century, a significant number of Japanese immigrants arrived in Hawaii to work on plantations. These laborers, often referred to as "GIs," brought with them their cultural practices, including Reiki. Takata recognized the potential of Reiki to alleviate the physical and emotional stress experienced by these workers and began to train them in the practice. As Reiki spread from Hawaii to other parts of the United States and North America, it gained popularity among middle-class housewives and social elites. Takata's ability to adapt Reiki to the needs and preferences of different communities played a significant role in its widespread acceptance and popularity.

Another important aspect of Takata's work was her establishment of connections with social elites in Tokyo, Hollywood, and New York. Through her teachings and workshops, Reiki gained recognition among artists, actors, and musicians, who were drawn to its holistic approach to healing and self-care. These connections not only helped to promote Reiki but also facilitated cultural exchange and understanding between Japan and the United States.

In addition to her work in the United States, Takata also played a crucial role in spreading Reiki to remote areas of the world. She traveled extensively, visiting Japan, Europe, and Asia, and training students in various countries. Her efforts helped to establish Reiki as a global phenomenon, with practitioners and teachers located in many parts of the world.

Takata's legacy continues to be felt today, as Reiki continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of individuals and communities. Her dedication to promoting healing and spiritual growth through the practice of Reiki has inspired countless people around the world, and her contributions to the trans-Pacific region's cultural and social landscape are widely recognized.

In conclusion, Alternate Currents: Reikis Circulation in the Twentieth-Century North Pacific provides a valuable insight into the history and development of Reiki. Through a meticulous examination of archival materials and oral histories, Stein explores how Reiki traveled from Japan to the United States and North America, and how it became deeply intertwined with the cultural and social landscapes of the region. The book highlights the pioneering efforts of Hawayo Takata, a Hawaiian-born Japanese American woman who played a crucial role in shaping Reiki's global spread and impact. Takata's ability to adapt Reiki to the needs and preferences of different communities, as well as her establishment of connections with social elites in various parts of the world, contributed to the widespread acceptance and popularity of Reiki. Her legacy continues to inspire and influence practitioners and teachers around the world, and her contributions to the trans-Pacific region's cultural and social landscape are widely recognized.

Weight: 522g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780824895662