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1. introduction - what is a longevity celebration?
In Japan, there is a custom called “celebration of longevity (gaju),” in which people celebrate their "longevity" at each milestone in their lives, expressing gratitude for their past progress and wishing for healthy days ahead. In the days when life expectancy was much shorter than it is today, it was truly a miracle to live to the age of 60, the 60th year of the kanreki calendar. As a remnant of this, the culture of grand celebrations with special colors and names has been passed down from generation to generation.
Celebrating longevity is said to have its origins in the aristocratic society of the Heian period (794-1185), when banquets were held to celebrate the age of the deceased. In those days, it was a “Hare-no-hi” (a day of celebration) where family and clan members gathered to honor longevity with gifts and food. This tradition has changed over time, but is still firmly rooted in the present day.
The modern longevity celebration is not simply an occasion to celebrate age,
A chance for families to get together."
An opportunity to say thank you for the life I've led."
I wish you well in the future."
This event has become an important event with significance.
In recent years, with the shift to the nuclear family and the spread of diverse values, celebration styles have also become more flexible. Celebrations that respect the individual's personality, such as small family dinners at home, trips, commemorative photo shoots, and gifts to experience hobbies and interests, have become popular. In addition to the age of 60, new age categories have been created, such as Green Jyu (66) and Hanju (81).
In this age of 100-year life spans, longevity celebrations are not merely a passing point, but are attracting renewed attention as a rich culture of "looking back on a person's story and celebrating his or her future.
2. longevity celebration list: name, age, celebration color, and origin
| Name of celebration | Age to celebrate | Celebration color (representative color) | Origin and Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60th birthday | 60 years old | 赤 | The twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac come full circle and return to the year of birth = meaning a fresh start and protection from evil. |
| Koiki (old age) | 70 years old | 紫 | It comes from the poem, "Life is rare since seventy years ago." |
| Kiju (77th birthday) | 77 years old | 紫 | The Chinese character "喜" in cursive reads 77. |
| Umbrella life (3 years) | 80 years old | Yellow / Golden brown | The abbreviation for "umbrella" resembles the Chinese character for eighty. |
| Yomeiju (the 100th birthday of the United States of America) | 88 years old. | Yellow / Golden brown | The character for "rice" breaks down to 88. |
| Graduation | 90 years old | White / Purple | Because the abbreviation "90" for "graduate" resembles ninety. |
| 99th birthday | 99 years old. | 白 | Subtract "1" from "100" and you get "white. |
| Hyakusyu (100th birthday) | 100 years old | White / Peach (pink) | It symbolizes "good fortune" that 100 years old = one century. |
*Colors and customs may vary slightly from region to region and household to household.
3. recommended gift ideas by age and theme color
The gift will be appreciated if the recipient is aware of the color and meaning of the gift while adapting it to their hobbies and lifestyle.
🟥 KANREKI (60 years old) - Celebrating a fresh start in red
- Traditional ItemsRed Chanko and Hat Set
- practical giftRed scarves and ornaments, red wine and sake, bouquet arrangements, healing goods
- Experience GiftsFamily dinners and hot spring pair accommodation vouchers
...It is also a good idea to prepare dishes of sea bream and lobster with a red theme, and to have red items that will serve as points of interest when taking pictures!
Celebrating the 60th birthday of a person who is still of working age in today's world may often be celebrated with company colleagues and significant friends. Many parties and dinners are held with a dress code of red or a table setting with a red theme. Gifts are easily appreciated, such as consumable items, and we recommend that they are not too bulky and not too much to your taste.
💜 Koki (70 years old), Kiju (77 years old) - Purple elegance
- Theme Color GiftsPurple scarf, necktie, Japanese accessories, glasses and tableware
- souvenirPhoto frame (with family photo studio)
- hobby: Gardening supplies, calligraphy sets, guess goods, etc.
They are still in their 70s, and it would be nice to go out shopping or out to dinner with them. Rather than large, tangible items, gifts of consumable goods, guess-what goods or events might be more appreciated. You might also look for goods related to healing and health.
💛 Umbrella life (80 years old), Rice life (88 years old) - Golden color and golden brown glow
- A luxurious giftHigh quality tea sets, luxury takeaway meal sets
- health consciousnessHealth products (massagers, body composition analyzers), organic seasonings, etc.
- Twelve Longevity Goods: Yellow and golden brown color sundries and textiles
At your age, when you want to reduce the number of things you have, we would like you to cherish the time you spend together more than the things you have. Why not hold a dinner party and celebrate with family, relatives, and little ones all together? It would also be nice to have a professional photographer take commemorative photos.
⚪ Graduation (age 90), White (age 99), and 100th birthday (age 100) - white/pink blessing
- White motifWhite flowers (orchids, flower arrangements), white porcelain vessels
- for 100 yearsPhoto albums and souvenirs with pink accents
- Memorial ExperienceFamily photo shooting plans and commemorative movie production
This is a generation that appreciates gifts that match their lifestyle. If they don't go out much, pajamas, loungewear, non-slip socks and slippers; if they are active, a lightweight, heavy jacket, heat-trapping clothing, a shopping bag with tires, and athletic shoes that won't fall down. The key is "lightweight" and "easy to handle." Useful items that are easy for younger people to find are often hard for older people to find, so they will be happy to help you find the latest and greatest goodies.
💡 4. points to consider when selecting a gift
✔ Emphasis on personalization: The best things to choose for you are those that draw your attention to your daily lifestyle! Know your guesses, incorporate useful things into your daily lifestyle, etc.
✔ Providing Experiences: Travel vouchers, dinners, photo sessions, etc. that give the gift of time rather than things. We want you to cherish the time you spend together.
✔ put meaning into colorsThe gift with a theme color in mind is a great way to celebrate the social networking age. Don't forget to add a little fun to the occasion by saying, "Next time, it's going to be in 00 colors.