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Japanese Age Milestones

Japanese age milestones are a naming system for longevity celebrations observed when reaching specific ages. Starting with Kanreki (60 years), followed by Koki (70 years), Kiju (77 years), Beiju (88 years), Hakuju (99 years), and others, these names are derived from the composition of kanji characters or classical references. These celebrations are a cherished Japanese cultural tradition for honoring longevity and marking life's milestones.

longevity celebration kanreki age Japanese culture celebration tradition
code slug name description age color origin
60 kanreki Kanreki Longevity celebration at age 60. Marks the return to one's birth zodiac sign after a 60-year cycle. 60 Red / Vermilion Chinese origin. Based on the 60-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac.
66 rokuju Rokuju Longevity celebration at age 66. Named from the phonetic association of 'rokuroku' (six-six). 66 Green Japanese origin. Phonetic association of 'rokuroku' (six-six).
70 koki Koki Longevity celebration at age 70. Derived from Du Fu's poem 'Rarely since ancient times has one lived to seventy.' 70 Purple Chinese origin. Derived from Du Fu's poem.
77 kiju Kiju Longevity celebration at age 77. Named because the cursive form of 'ki' (joy) resembles 'seventy-seven.' 77 Purple Japanese origin. The cursive 'ki' resembles 'seventy-seven.'
80 sanju Sanju Longevity celebration at age 80. Named because the abbreviated form of 'san' (umbrella) resembles 'eighty.' 80 Yellow / Golden-brown Chinese origin. The abbreviated 'san' resembles 'eighty.'
81 hanju Hanju Longevity celebration at age 81. Named because the character 'han' (half) can be decomposed into 'eighty-one.' 81 Golden-brown Japanese origin. 'Han' can be decomposed into 'eighty-one.'
88 beiju Beiju Longevity celebration at age 88. Named because the character 'bei' (rice) can be decomposed into 'eighty-eight.' 88 Yellow / Golden-brown Chinese origin. 'Bei' can be decomposed into 'eighty-eight.'
90 sotsuju Sotsuju Longevity celebration at age 90. Named because the abbreviated form of 'sotsu' (graduate) resembles 'ninety.' 90 White / Purple Chinese origin. The abbreviated 'sotsu' resembles 'ninety.'
99 hakuju Hakuju Longevity celebration at age 99. Derived from removing 'one' from 'hundred' to make 'white' (100-1=99). 99 White Japanese origin. Removing 'one' from 'hundred' makes 'white' (100-1=99).
100 hyakuju Hyakuju Longevity celebration at age 100. Celebrating the milestone of reaching 100 years. 100 White / Peach Japanese origin. Means 100 years or one century.
108 chaju Chaju Longevity celebration at age 108. Named because 'cha' (tea) can be decomposed into 'ten-ten-eighty-eight.' 108 None specified Japanese origin. 'Cha' can be decomposed into 'ten-ten-eighty-eight' (108).
111 kouju Kouju Longevity celebration at age 111. Named because 'ko' (emperor) can be decomposed into 'white (99)-one-ten-one.' 111 None specified Japanese origin. 'Ko' can be decomposed into 'white (99)-one-ten-one' (111).
120 daikanreki Daikanreki Longevity celebration at age 120. Means the second occurrence of Kanreki (60 years). 120 None specified Japanese origin. Second occurrence of Kanreki (60×2=120).

A list of traditional Japanese longevity celebration ages and names.