kanreki 還暦

Maciamo · Jul 12, 2003, 12:10

I heard today of "kanreki" or the celebration of somebody's 60th birthday. I was told its a very special birthday as it is believed the person goes back to childhood (?).

Could anybody give me more detailed explanation about this ?

**NANGI** · Jul 12, 2003, 19:51

Konnichiwa Maciamo-san!

Yes, "Kanreki" is very important 60th birthday in Japan. But why one's 60th birthday? Why the person goes back to childhood? What is that meaning?

"Kanreki" is related to Japanese old calendar. I think that you had heard about "Eto". "Eto" is the twelve horary signs of calendar. Each signs change every year and it go round in twelve years.
And there is another signs. It is a "Jikkan". "Jikkan" has a ten signs and change every years too.

"Eto" has twelve signs and "Jikkan" has ten signs. Each signs change every year and there are 60 combinations of "Eto" and "Jikkan".

This 60th year is "Kanreki". "Kan" means circulate(return) and "Reki" means calendar. "Kanreki" means circulate(return) calendar(year) in literal.

One's "Eto" and "Jikkan" return the first combination in his 60th birthday. It is the same combination to his birth year. And it is said that the person goes back to childhood(babyhood) in Kanreki.

NANGI

Maciamo · Jul 12, 2003, 21:14

Thanks a lot Nangi-san. It makes sense. I feel a little more Japan-aware now.

Jul 12, 2003, 12:10	#1
Maciamo Twirling dragon Join Date: Jul 17, 2002 Location: 西京 Posts: 6,677	kanreki 還暦 I heard today of "kanreki" or the celebration of somebody's 60th birthday. I was told its a very special birthday as it is believed the person goes back to childhood (?). Could anybody give me more detailed explanation about this ? __________________ Over 100 destinations in the Japan Sightseeing Guide Eupedia : Your Guide to Europe in English Read the "Maciamo FAQ" Follow me on Twitter "What is the use of living, if it be not to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?", Winston Churchill.

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Jul 12, 2003, 19:51	#2
NANGI Tutor Join Date: Jan 8, 2003 Location: I live in Kansai. Posts: 2,276	Konnichiwa Maciamo-san! Yes, "Kanreki" is very important 60th birthday in Japan. But why one's 60th birthday? Why the person goes back to childhood? What is that meaning? "Kanreki" is related to Japanese old calendar. I think that you had heard about "Eto". "Eto" is the twelve horary signs of calendar. Each signs change every year and it go round in twelve years. And there is another signs. It is a "Jikkan". "Jikkan" has a ten signs and change every years too. "Eto" has twelve signs and "Jikkan" has ten signs. Each signs change every year and there are 60 combinations of "Eto" and "Jikkan". This 60th year is "Kanreki". "Kan" means circulate(return) and "Reki" means calendar. "Kanreki" means circulate(return) calendar(year) in literal. One's "Eto" and "Jikkan" return the first combination in his 60th birthday. It is the same combination to his birth year. And it is said that the person goes back to childhood(babyhood) in Kanreki. NANGI

Jul 12, 2003, 21:14	#3
Maciamo Twirling dragon Join Date: Jul 17, 2002 Location: 西京 Posts: 6,677	Thanks a lot Nangi-san. It makes sense. I feel a little more Japan-aware now.