Episode 554 - Laying on Hands, Part 2 - Listen - History of Japan

Episode 554 - Laying on Hands, Part 2

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This week is a continuation of our exploration of the history of reiki. How did Takata Hawayo, a poor woman from Hawaii's Nikkei community, become the foundational figure of one of the most popular New Age practices in the world? And in the end, what sense can we make of the history of a practice founded on pseudoscientific medical claims? Show notes here.

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History of Japan

Published 11/15/24

Episode 553 - Laying on Hands, Part 1

This week: the origins of one of the most popular pseudo-medical traditions out there. Where does reiki, the notion that one can manipulate energy in the human body using their hands to heal people, come from? And why does studying the history of practices like this matter? Show notes here.

Published 11/08/24

Episode 552 - The Road Less Traveled

This week: what can we learn about the past if we look not at elite literature, but at the lowbrow faire of the masses? We'll explore this question using one of the most popular works of its day: Tokaidochu Hizakurige. Show notes here.

Published 11/01/24