👵RESPECT-FOR-THE-AGED DAY👴
Today is Keirō-no-hi (敬老の日) in Japan🎊
Traditionally held on September 15th, in 2003 the national holiday was changed to the 3rd Monday in September. Commemorative silver saké cups are given by the government to those who have turned 100.
if only, when one heard
that old age was coming
one could bolt the door
answer "not at home"
and refuse to meet him!
-Anonymous author, from the Kokin Wakashū (古今和歌集).
#Japan #敬老の日 #RespectForTheAgedDay #Keironohi #Kyoto #wagashi
Keirō-no-hi (3rd Monday is September) falls close to Autumnal Equinox Day (秋分の日 September 22nd/23rd).
If just 1 day falls between Keirō-no-hi and Autumnal Equinox Day then this becomes a day off, creating a 5 day 'Silver Week' (シルバーウィーク) holiday.
The next is in 2026.
#Japan #RespectForTheAgedDay #Keironohi #SilverWeek #Kyoto #京都
The origins of the holiday are fairly recent.
It is said 'The Legend of Yōrō Falls' (養老の滝) inspired the mayor of Nomadani-mura (野間谷村), in Hyōgo Prefecture, to create the first "Old Folks' Day" (としよりの日 "Toshiyori-no-hi").
Let us put aside for the moment that this famous tale likely took place in October.
On September 15th 1947 Nomadani-mura (野間谷村 - later Yachiyo-chō 八千代町, currently Taka-chō 多可町八千代区) in Hyōgo Prefecture hosted the first "Old Folks' Day".
Yōrō Falls is a 32m high waterfall in Gifu Prefecture. In the famous tale a young man is searching for firewood when he comes across the waterfall. Noting the water tasted like saké, he filled a gourd and took some home to his sick father, who was cured upon sipping the contents!
The waterfall quickly became associated with 'eternal youth'.
Upon visiting the area, Empress Genshō (元正天皇 680-748) renamed the period of her reign "yōrō", saying the waterfall "...doth nourish the old. Perhaps it be the spirit of the waters..."
From 1963 the government began gifting solid silver saké cups to citizens who had reached 100 years of age (just 153 people in this year). As more and more people reached their centenary, the government were forced to make the cups smaller (2009) and switch to silver plating (2017)🤣
Celebrating 'Keirō-no-hi' (敬老の日) with the cutest of sweets...
Itotatsu's 'monaka bears'🧸🥰
Inside the wafer is a bean paste mixed with Ikkyū-ji natto (一休寺納豆), giving the sweets a slightly salty flavour👴👵
Camellia Tea Ceremony