Pop Japan

Kanreki is celebration of 60th birthday of our parents or grannies!

Kanreki literally means "return and "calendar". The meaning literally gives sense to the occasion. The 60th year of a person marks the end of one cycle in zodiac calendar. That means returning to your birth year, and beginning a new cycle.

The celebrant will be given a red costume, a red hat, red vest called "chanchanko", a red seat cushion and a white fan. It is widely believed that the color red gives protection to new born babies, that's why red amulets are given to them. Same goes with the newly reborn kanreki celebrant.

It is also the first celebration of longevity in Japan. Here are the next celebrations that await the person arriving at kanreki: 70 (koki), 77 (kiju), 80 (sanju), 81 (hanju), 88 (beiju), 90 (sotsuju), 99 (hakuju), 100 (joju), 108 (chaju) and 111 (koju).

Before, reaching the age of 60 means total retirement. The eldest son will take full responsibility of the family enterprise and the household responsibilities. The retiree's wife will pass the rice paddle to her son's wife to represent the transfer of responsibility to the younger members of the family. But nowadays, needless to say, this concept hasn't been practiced that much.

It's still important to celebrate birthdays as we thank for another year of life. The role of the younger members of the family is to make time for occassions like this, and thank them for working hard for so long to take care of the family.