Monday, October 17, 2011

Kanreki




I recently turned 61. I did not know it was a milestone birthday. My friends Betty, Kiko, Joyce, Pat and Patty educated me about the 61st birthday in Japanese culture. When a man turns 61 a celebration called Kanreki takes place. According to Japanese culture, it takes 60 years for a man to finish a cycle on Earth. The 60th birthday is the midpoint between two eras of one's life (editorial comment:woohoo!)
The birthday person wears a red vest and a red hat to symbolize childhood. In japanese, red is akai, so the celebrant becomes an aka-chan or baby beginning life all over again.
I want to thank you ladies for the beautiful card and for giving me a really good excuse for acting like a kid again!
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9 comments:

Katje said...

Happy Happy Birthday!

Unknown said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

VicR said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Interesting reading about the Japanese culture too.

Jan Castle said...

WooHoo is right!!! Congrats and Happy Birthday...mine in coming up in 10 days and I'm happy to say I'm already in my second childhood!!! The card is stunning and you deserve the very best!
Jan
Where's my KOI?

Marcia said...

Love your explanation on the Japanese tradition with the 61st birthday!! The card is beautiful

scrappybetty said...

Happy Birthday.Mine is in 5 days and if I were a Japanese man I would be 5.

Daria said...

Happy Birthday!

What a special card; I enjoyed learning about Kanreki.

LUCYG said...

oh, what a gorgeous card. Happy birthday to you!

chaoscorner said...

Love the story Mike - so do enjoy the second half of your life!! and such a lovely card. Always enjoy your blog and all the tips you give us.