Japan’s Traditional Celebrations of Longevity
Traditionally, the Japanese, being within the sphere of Chinese cultural influence, have respected old age and celebrated long life. Back in the Nara Period (710-794), when the Japanese aristocracy was keen on almost anything Chinese, numerous continental beliefs and customs were enthusiastically adopted JUST AS THEY WERE. Among these, were concepts and rituals which have a major impact TO THIS DAY on Japan's annual cycle of events as well as its life-cycle celebrations and ceremonies. It was at this time that Japan's elite began to mark the attainment of OLD AGE beginning at age 40! In those days (and until quite recently in fact) it was said that "a man's life is 50 years" (人生は５０年、 Jinsei wa goju-nen), and there were special celebrations held upon entering each new decade of life (these were called yonju-no-ga, 四十の賀, for the 40th year, goju-no-ga, 五十の賀, for the 50th year, etc.). This involved a banquet at which relatives of the person being celebrated gathered for a festive meal and the pounding and distribution of fresh mochi (rice cakes).
As Chinese cultural influence in Japan waned and the Japanese gained more self-confidence over the ensuing centuries, the customs regarding the celebration of longevity, along with almost everything else adopted from China, were eventually given a uniquely Japanese twist. Records show that the still standard series of eight special birthdays celebrated between (and including) the 60th and 100th years had been firmly established among the Japanese ruling warrior class and the aristocracy by the Muromachi Period (1338-1573). Instead of merely following the original Chinese lead of celebrating the start of each new age-decade, the Japanese also selected certain ages from which auspicious (or amusing) meanings could be derived from how the ages were written in Kanji characters. Thus, today we have the following.
The 60th year (kanreki, 還暦), meaning a return to the beginning of the cycle, as it heralds completing the path through the full five cycles of the Sino-Japanese zodiac (jikkan-junishi), and coming back once again to the original combination of signs that you were born with. This event is commonly celebrated throughout East-Asia.
The 70th year (koki, 古希), the name of which derives from a popular verse by the great Chinese poet Tufu (Toho, 杜甫, in Japanese). The poem goes: Jinsei nanaju korai mare nari (人生七十古来稀なり),meaning that (in those days) reaching the age of 70 was a rare occurrence.
The 77th year (kiju, 喜寿）, which was celebrated because an archaic form of writing the character ki (good fortune, this form cannot be written out with this computer), can be broken down to the components 七 十 七、 which means 77. Because of this round-about connection, that age is seen as related to GOOD FORTUNE.
The 80th year (sanju, 傘寿). The character 傘 (umbrella) can be broken down to components which can be rearranged as 八十(eighty).
The 81st year (hanju,半寿). The character 半 (half) can be broken down and rearranged as 八十一, or 81. However, celebrating hanju has become extremely rare these days.
The 88th year (beiju,米寿). The character for rice, 米, which symbolizes wealth, nutrition and other wholesome things can be broken down to its basic components and rearranged as 八十八、or 88.
The 90th year (sotsuju, 卒寿). The character 卒 (graduation) can be rearranged as 九十、or 90.
The 99th year (hakuju,白寿）. When the element meaning one (一) is removed from the top of the character 百 (100), you get the character haku (白,white). Thus haku is 100 minus one. In other words 99.
Then, at the 100th year, there is hyakuga (百賀), and after that a celebration every year (hyaku-ichi no ga, etc...).
During the Edo Period (1603-1868), the custom of celebrating these special ages filtered down to the common people, though even for the easy living elite it probably still remained quite rare at that time to celebrate anything beyond Kanreki (the 60th year).
Since Kanareki marked the completion of a full journey through the oriental zodiac and a rebirth, or return to childhood, 60 was traditionally the age at which men would retire. The main feature of the kanreki banquet was the presentation of a red coat (chanchanko) and cap (zukin). This style of garment symbolizes a return to childhood. The red color represented warmth and was also believed to have powers to ward off evil and bad luck. The cushion (zabuton) on which the guest of honor sits, should also be red. A red fan might also be provided. You can find everything you need online.
These days of course, most 60-year-olds in Japan are still working, and most likely feel that their whole life still lies in front of them. They might be embarrassed by the silly chanchanko and cap. Still, if you decide to give a sweater or blanket, shirt or tie, red would be an appropriate (traditionally speaking) color.
For Koki (70) and Kiju (77) celebrations, the color purple is considered appropriate, as it is the mostly highly regarded color in Sino-Japanese divination (omyodo). This color provides protective and curative benefits to those bodies which might just be starting to feel the aches and pains of age.
Though once extremely rare, sanju (80), hanju (81), and especially beiju (88) celebrations are now common events! The color for presents, clothing and cushions should be GOLDEN BROWN (kincha iro 金茶) or yellow. And since 88 years of age is associated with RICE (米,bei) with all its positive associations in Japanese culture, beiju celebrations are popular and feature several special gift items. Golden brown (or yellow) furoshiki or fukusa cloths and zabuton cushions with cranes or the character 米 on them are usual.
The most interesting traditional gift for beiju is a HATO NO TSUE (a walking stick with a pigeon carved on the handle). It seems that giving such a gift was practiced in the ancient Chinese and later Japanese courts. Among the reasons for such a gift being appropriate are that HATO (pigeon) can also be written using the characters 八 and 十, which can also mean 80. It is also said that pigeons do not choke (a serious problem for the elderly in Japan, especially with New Year's O-Mochi). These pigeon-handled walking sticks can be given at any of the longevity celebrations for someone in their 80s. Have a look at a hato no tsue here.
For sotsuju (90) and hakuju (99) celebrations, the appropriate traditional color is white. Have a look at each age group color.
In contemporary Japan there are dozens of reference books available for those wanting to hold, or for those who have been invited to, a special LONGEVITY birthday celebration. They not only recommend appropriate gifts such as travel or restaurant coupons, ceramics or electronic equipment, but also detail the correct way to address the special festive envelopes and recommend appropriate amounts for cash gifts.
One thing that all these books agree on is that the most important point, especially for the older-age celebrations, is to bring family together, create a warm and festive atmosphere, and maybe have an extended family photo portrait taken. Commemorative gifts should also be given to all those who attend. These parties can be held at home, though usually a restaurant is reserved and special celebratory dishes served, for example fish (TAI) or sea bream.
This might all sound quite simple. However, a more detailed explanation of these customs might set your head spinning. For example, individual birthdays were never actually celebrated in Japan (except for a divination ceremony, isho mochi, held on the first birthday). All Japanese grew a year older on New Year's Day. Thus, these celebrations were not actually held on the celebrant's birthday, but on New Year's or another auspicious day. The situation now of course is quite different and the celebration of birthdays has become as popular (for younger people) as it is in the West.
Another complicated point is that until this century the Japanese considered themselves to be 1 year old at birth. If they were born a day before the New Year, they would be considered 2 years old after the New Year, when by contemporary standards they would be just 2 days old. The traditional way of counting ages is called KAZOE-DOSHI. Many older people still use this term when talking about age. In fact, while now the other longevity celebrations are usually based on Western-style age-counting (MAN NENREI), Kanreki (60) is still counted as 61 years in KAZOE DOSHI. If you are confused, you are not alone.
Anyway, with the average age in Japan skyrocketing, the events I've just told you a little about are being held more than ever before, by a huge margin. A celebration of the once extremely rare has become commonplace.
Print This Post
11th Dragon Boat Race Competition in Kasumigaura City
Dragon boat race competition to take place this Sunday in Kasumigaura City.
11th Dragon boat race competition in Kasumigaura
When: July 1, Sunday, from 9:00 to 15:15
Where: Kasumigaura Lake in front of Ayumisaki Park in Kasumigaura City (Map)
It looks like this is a very serious competition unlike the kind of dragon boat race where participants decorate their boats for fun. Click here to see the picture from last year's competition.
Ayumisaki Park is a tiny park with a VERY tiny aquarium, but it still is a nice to place to spend your day. I see many sons and fathers fish while moms and other kids play in the park every time I go there. A castle-shaped local historical museum and a really good nature park for kids and families are within walking distance of Ayumisaki Park. The competition site (Ayumisaki Park) is about 30 to 40-minute drive from Tsukuba.
Print This Post
A Lesser Seen Japanese Rite of Passage: O-KUIZOME ( お食い初め), in which, besides the baby, A ROCK is the STAR!
Various foods and STONE for ritual tasting
Being a parent involves almost constant concern over children`s health and development. Even in these days of relatively advanced medical science and easilly accessible health care, parents sigh in relief at the passing of each flu season and each epidemic scare. It is hard to imagine what is must have been like in past ages.
That it why it is only natural that parents, no matter where in the world, celebrate their childrens growth, and that traditionally there have arisen ceremonies and rites meant to provide children with a little extra, one could say MAGICAL assistanc, in their road to reaching adulthhod in health and safety.
In Japan, with its great tradition of festive decoration and dress , certain rites and celebrations related to age have become a popular subjects for photographers, professional and amateur, and pictures of these events, especially SHICHI-GO-SAN ( in which children 3, 5, and 7 years of age, dressed in traditional wear, visit shrines with their parents) and Coming of Age Day ( in which 20 year-olds, often wearing kimono gather to celebrate), can often be seen in posters, guidebooks, coffee-table books and magazines, as in the photo album of many tourists who have visited Japan. Even if you dont have a camera, having a look at these events is an unforgetable Japanese encounter.
Read more about SHICHI-GO-SAN: http://blog.alientimes.org/2009/11/shichi-go-san-celebrations-uniquely-extravagant-in-ibaraki/
and Coming of Age Day: http://blog.alientimes.org/2009/01/tsukubas-coming-of-age-ceremony-seijin-shiki-proceeds-almost-without-incident/
Only the stone remains ( after the family members have eaten the rest)
The fact is though, that most of Japan`s numerous age related ceremonies and celebrations ( and there ARE many of them!), are NOT so easilly or often seen by foreigners, either tourist or resident. One of the most interesting ( and popular, for Japanese families) of these, is the ceremony which is usually called O-Kui zome ( お食い初め, literally FIRST EATING), and takes place when a baby is about 100 days old.
Let me tell you about it.
The Okuizome ( pronounced O kui zoh meh) , is a ritual feeding , in which various foods, usually rice, fish and vegetables, are put against the babies lips with chopsticks. Interestingly, something else besides food is touched to the babies mouth and gums- A SMOOTH, ROUND, STONE- which among other effects, is supposed to help the childs teeth and head properly harden.
There are records of this custom having existed in the Heian Period ( 794-1185), and thus it has been around for at least a thousand years. In the earliest references it was called MOMOGA NO IWAI ( 百日祝, meaning the One-hundredth Day Celebration). By now it has spread and is practised throughout Japan, though naturally with plenty of regional variation.
In Tsukuba, at least in some of its neighborhoods, the kuizome is held on the 110th day. In other area it is on the 100th day or the 120th. Anyway, generally speaking, the ceremony is held at AROUND the 100th day, and the most convenient day for relatives to gather ( probably the weekend) is usually set for the occassion.
Each food, and the stone is ritually put to the babies lips and gums
Though the kuizome has traditionally been and is still usually held at home, these days, busy families might reserve a room at a traditional Japanese restaurant. In Tsukuba, Ichinoya, a restaurant which caters to a wide assortment of traditional celebrations, offers special Okuizome packages.
Though it is alright to use everyday household dishes, for this occassion, most families buy a special laquer tray and bowls ( there are different colors for boys and girls depending on the region), and a pair of chopsticks made from the wood of a willow tree.Naturally, those celebrating at a restaurant save themselves the trouble of having to prepare these things themselves.
As for the foods required, the essentials are:
A fish ( usually the celebratory TAI, sea bream), which should have its head and tail still attached ( this symbolizes strengthening of the neck)
Beans ( these represent loyalty and diligence since the Japanese word for beans MAME is a homophone for these virtues).
Boiled vegetables ( usually seasonal, and might include some kelp ( konbu), whose Japanese name reminds one of the word yoroKOBU - to be glad)
Soup
and of course- rice. Either plain white rice, or the celebratory sticky rice called SEKIHAN.
In Tsukuba, it is traditional to include UDON noodles among the kuizome dishes, as it represents LONG LIFE.
The stone or stones ( depending on the region), which should be small round, smooth and flat, can be either taken from a riverbank ( and washed!), or gotten at a shrine. Especially at the shrine where the baby had its MIYAMAIRI ( first visit to a shrine), when it was about one month old. Again, reserving a restaurant saves one the trouble of finding or getting the stones!
The Ritual Feeding
The ritual meal ( of course the babys are too young to actually EAT the foods), is an expression of the hope that the child grow to enjoy a wide variety of foods and that he/she never go hungry.
Though there is variation from region to region a common order of fake feeding would be: rice, soup, rice, fish, rice, vegetables, rice, beans- repeated three times. Some families might actually put ONE GRAIN OF RICE into the childs mouth
The rice could be said to be a symbolic ENERGIZER put to the babies lips to provide him/her with a dose of LIFE ENERGY.
Finally, the stone is put to the lips and gums. As I said, this is done in the hope that the child`s teeth will grow strong, his/her head and neck frim and solid, and spirit strong .
The stone is also intended as a spiritual energizer in that it can be considered to be a YORISHIRO （依代), a receptacle or antennae for receiving the Goddess of Childbirth- the UBUGAMI ( 産神）. The round shape of the stones reflects the shape of the mirrors found in shrines ( like that which attracted the Sun Goddess Amaterasu) and in turn the Kagami mochi ( mirror shaped rice cakes used to attract the God of the New Year) eaten at the beginnig of the year for spiritual re-invigoration.
Usually, the person chosen to do the ritual feeding is a grandparent ( the same sex as the child), or the oldest available relative, as having an aging person perform the ritual was thought to guarantee long life to the child.
Naturally, all the relatives ( and or neighbors) who attend, enjoy lots of eating and drinking! All in all, its a charming and delicious way for a family to get together and celebrate a child`s 100th day!
Print This Post
Amazing Turn-Around ! Moxibustion Gets Fetus to Move Out Of The Breech Position and Thus, C-Section is Avoided!
Acupuncture, moxibustion and massage teacher and therapist Naruto Yoshida
This is testament to the indefatiguable efforts of generations of traditional Chinese physicians who over the years built up a vast body of data on which points of the body, when stuck with needles, pressed, or heated, affected OTHER specific parts of the body. Their endeavor goes all the way back to a time when someone realized that a pain in one part of their body, perhaps the lower back, suddenly disappeared when another part of their body was pierced, perhaps by an arrow.
No matter how they hit upon the idea, this system of treating bodily complaints became a part of the STANDARD PRACTICE of maintaining human health within the vast traditional Chinese cultural sphere of influence, including of course, Japan ( to which these techniques were probably introduced in the 6th century).
In recent decades, these traditional forms of East-Asian medical treatment have become more and more accepted outside their usual home turf and acupuncture clinics are now common in the US and many European countries.
( more than 30 years ago James Reston, a highly respected journalist for The New York Times, was in China on assignment and had to be hospitalized for what I think was appendicitis. After his surgery his pain was controlled with acupuncture. The reports of his experience helped make Americans more open minded about this, then, very exotic for of medical treatment.)
Though stories of the successful treatment of headaches, stiff necks and lower-back pain are impressive, for me, the MOST AMAZING thing I had ever heard of acupuncture and moxibustion`s powers was that it could be used to get a fetus in the breech position ( with its head up) into the right position ( with the head down), merely with the application of heat to the small toe!
A tiny cone of MOXA placed on the outer side of the little toe
It sounds incredible, but I have found that it really does often work, even when the pregnancy is in its late stages.
Recently, I talked with Naruto Yoshida Sensei, a teacher and practitioner of acupuncture, moxibustion and massage therapy, who had just successfully gotten a soon-to-be-born fetus to turn over into the proper position, thus sparing the expectant ( though anxious) mother from having to have a Caesarean section.
This is what the treatment involved in this particular case:
When Yoshida Sensei first met the patient, he talked with her to try to gauge her emotional state. Finding her to be quite stressed about her baby being in the breech position ( and dont pregnant women and their husbands have enough to be worried about already), and thus probably stiff and TIGHT throughout her body, he decided to begin with some soft massage. He gently worked on her shoulders, lower back, arms, legs, hands and feet.
Feeling that she had become appropriately relaxed and phyically loosened up, he had the patient lie on her side. He then proceeded to place a tiny cone made up of the mugwort plant on the side of the small toe of her right foot, and proceeded to burn it. This took a few minutes and gave her a slight burning sensation. This was then repeated two more times.
The same was done to the small toe of her left foot.
A SENENKYU applied to the same spot
This acupuncture ( and moxibustion) point on the small toe is called the SHI IN NO KYU, and this spot which, when stimulated in the proper way, gets the fetus to turn upside down ( which in this case is the right side up!)
As is usual with acupuncture or moxibustion, one time does not always do the trick. In this case as well, especially considering the late stage of the pregnancy, it took two sessions with Yoshida Sensei for things to take a proper turn. And this happened a few days after the last treatment. The patient had continued the treatments on her own at home, with a special moxibustion applicator ( with a small base), called a SENENKYU.
What a relief for the mother-to-be. She can now go ahead with a natural childbirth, which is what she wanted.
And for us, it gives us an dramatic proof of moxibustions powers ( though 100 percent success cannot, of course be guaranteed.
The SHI-IN NO KYU point on the little toe
By the way, the English word moxibustion, or moxa treatment derives from one of the Japanese words used for the plant mugwort- MOGUSA.
Another word for the same plant is YOMOGI. And I have recently written of how it is used in an important sprintime snack in Japan- KUSA MOCHI.
A SENENKYU applicator, on the left and a moxa cone, on the right
Another interesting point that I would like to mention is that for many older Japanese people moxibustions brings back bad memories of childhood punishment! It was not unusual for parents to discipline their kids by making them sit and endure the little moxa cones buring on their hands.
By the way, in Japanese acupuncture is HARI 、and moxibustion OKYU.
POSTSCRIPT- Acupuncture and Asthma
Right after I had completed and posted the original version of this article, I set off to join a group (consisting of family and friends) at a Chinese restaurant ( which are always more fun with large groups- you can share more dishes!).
Sitting next to me, was a old buddy, who also happens to be a native New Yorker. When I asked him how his day had been, much to my surprise, he told me that he had just come from acupuncture treatment ( every day is teeming with coincidence) !
Apparently, he had once gone to a clinic because he had been having some sort of pain, but when the acupuncturist found out that my friend suffered from asthma he quickly and confidently asserted that he could treat that as well.
According to my friend,the treatments HAVE been effective, and he has in fact been able to cut down on his intake of prescribed medication.
Print This Post
And Still More Food For Autumn Foraging In Tsukuba: MUKAGO (or NUKAGO)
I was on my way to a little adventure in the woods surrounding the ruins of Konda Castle, near Sakura Junior High School. As I turned off the road and headed onto a little dirt trail, I noticed a neighbor of mine busily doing something by a bush of some sort. I called out a greeting so as not to startle her (Have you noticed that when Japanese are doing work outside, they never seem to glance up or around? I always attribute this to a deep focus on what they are doing, which is probably true, though some have told me that it's just a way of avoiding having to say hello!), and then I asked her what she was doing. "I'm picking NUKAGO," she said, "why dont you join me?" I thought, "Well, why not?!"
Nukago is the archaic name (still often used by native Ibarakians) for MUKAGO (零余子), which look like tiny potatoes (they are actually tiny yams) clinging delicately to vines which grow out of the stems of the yama imo ( Japanese yams). I say delicately, because to be picked, they merely have to be touched and they come right off. I helped my neighbor gather up a small bag-full. She said she was going to cook them up with the rice in her rice cooker (some people also add ginkgo nuts and some kombu stock). Some Ibarakians also fry, roast, or boil them with salt, sake, soy sauce, etc. I found some original recipes online as well.
Mukago can actually be found on sale at some supermarkets for about 500 yen a fistful (as you can see in the blog linked above), but buying them could never match the fun of finding and picking them yourself. Kids, especially, always enjoy cooking up what they have foraged.
Many of your Japanese friends might not have ever tasted or even heard of mukago (also remember that in Ibaraki it is often called nukago), and those who HAVE might not rave about their taste. Still, having mukago at least once in autumn is considered a MUST by many, since it is a rustic symbol of the season and a welcome change of pace from just plain ol' rice.
Mukago can be found in this area throughout autumn. In English they are called wild yam propagules (or bulbils) as they are how the yam plants propagate (by dropping these little babies to the ground). You can find them in wild fields, by the side of the road, and even in some parks.
Happy hunting!
Print This Post