Longevity Celebrations (長寿祝い Chōju Iwai): Kanreki, Koki, Kiju & More

What is Chōju Iwai (長寿祝い)?

In Japan, longevity celebrations are called chōju iwai (長寿祝い, ちょうじゅいわい) or gajū (賀寿, がじゅ). They mark milestone ages (60, 70, 77, 80, 88, …) and are often treated as moments to express gratitude and reaffirm bonds with family and community.

In Shinto contexts, they may be framed as ceremonies such as sangasai (算賀祭) or shukuga-hōkokusai (祝賀奉告祭)—rituals to give thanks and celebrate a life milestone.

Key Points

1. “Which age count?” can vary

Many sources define some milestones using kazoe-doshi (数え年), while modern families often celebrate by full age (birthday-based). Shinto guidance explicitly notes that either counting method can be used, and that customs vary by region.

Practical takeaway: If you’re planning a celebration—especially for Kanreki—ask the family:

“Are we celebrating by full age (e.g., 60) or by kazoe-doshi (e.g., 61)?”

2. Most milestone names are “kanji wordplay” or classic references

Examples:

• Koki comes from a famous line by the Tang poet Du Fu (“reaching 70 is rare”)
• Kiju is based on the cursive form of 喜 resembling 77
• Beiju (米寿) uses the idea that 米 can be decomposed into 88

3. Colors are a strong tradition—but not perfectly standardized

Many guides talk about “celebration colors” (e.g., red for Kanreki), and Shinto guidance provides a detailed set of associated colors for each milestone.

However, some modern gift guides list different colors for certain milestones (especially around ages 80–100), so treat colors as customary, not a legal rule.

Longevity Celebrations vs Regular Birthdays

Why Overseas Partners Should Care

These milestones show up in:

• Client relations (congratulatory notes)
• Employee life events
• Community and family obligations in Japan

If you do business with Japan, knowing the basics helps you avoid awkward misunderstandings and write better messages.

The Main Milestones

Ages below are shown in the “common modern” way (e.g., Kanreki ≈ 60). Some sources define Kanreki as kazoe-doshi 61 (full age 60).

Color note: Shinto guidance lists white for Sotsuju (90), Hakuju (99), and 100. Some modern gift guides still list purple for Sotsuju, so prioritize the celebrant’s preference.

What People Actually Do (Modern Practice)

Typical Celebration Formats

• Family meal (restaurant or home) + photos
• A “theme color” accent (clothing, flowers, table setting)
• Sometimes a chanchanko (ちゃんちゃんこ) vest for photos—especially for Kanreki
• Optionally a shrine visit / prayer ceremony (varies by family)

Why Kanreki is Especially Visible

Kanreki is tied to a “rebirth” theme (completing the 60-year zodiac cycle), which is why red clothing items (cap/vest/cushion) are widely recognized.

Practical Examples (Copy-Ready)

Example 1: Invited to a Kanreki Dinner in Japan

What to do:

1. Confirm whether they mean 60 (full age) or 61 (kazoe-doshi)
2. Bring a small gift in red (scarf, flowers, sweets, photo book)
3. Add a short note (English or Japanese)

Message (English):

“Congratulations on your Kanreki. Wishing you continued health and happiness.”

Message (Japanese, polite):

「還暦おめでとうございます。ますますのご健康とご多幸をお祈りします。」

Example 2: Congratulating a Japanese Client Executive Turning 70 (Koki)

Best practice:

• Keep it professional and brief
• Use the milestone name once, then focus on “wishing good health”

Message (English, business-safe):

“Congratulations on your Koki. Wishing you continued health and success in the years ahead.”

Optional explanation (for non-Japanese readers in your team):

“Koki is Japan’s traditional milestone celebration at age 70, inspired by a classical Chinese poem.”

Example 3: When the Person Dislikes “Costume” Items

Some people find the vest/cap fun for photos—but some don’t want to wear it. In that case:

• Use the color theme in a subtle way (tie, scarf, stationery, flowers)
• Or skip the color entirely and focus on what the person actually wants

The “perfect color” is less important than sincerity.

Quick Reference: Which Milestone?

If you’re planning by full age (birthday-based):

If your family uses kazoe-doshi, the milestone may be treated as “+1” compared to full age—Kanreki is the most common example (kazoe 61 / full 60).

Glossary

Related Articles

• Chinese Zodiac (Eto) — The 60-year cycle that defines Kanreki
• Japanese Era Names (Gengō) — Understanding Japanese dates
• Counting Age (Kazoedoshi) — Traditional vs modern age counting
• Unlucky Ages (Yakudoshi) — Another age-based tradition