“Kanreki” 還暦 –A Red Letter 60th Anniversary for the Garden

By Jessa Gardner

Photo courtesy of Yukari Yamano

June 5, 2020 marks the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Seattle Japanese Garden. Managed in partnership by Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Arboretum Foundation, our 3.5-acre public garden within the Washington Park Arboretum is one of the most celebrated Japanese gardens outside of Japan and a cultural treasure for our region.

In Japan, the 60th year of life is called “kanreki” (還暦) and is celebrated as a rebirth or re-entry into childhood. Sixty years is the full cycle of the Chinese zodiac calendar, which was adopted for use in Japan starting in the year 604. Kanreki marks the completion of this cycle and is celebrated by wearing a red hat and vest. The red outfit holds a dual meaning: Red is both a celebratory color and a reference to childhood. (A baby is Japan is called aka-chan or “little red one”.)

This auspicious anniversary seems especially fitting for our garden, which is constantly renewing. We celebrate the cycle of seasons throughout the year and greet each one as a new beginning. Each visit to the Garden is unique and timeless—a singular experience no matter how many times you come to visit.

When you consider that many of the most famous Japanese gardens are hundreds and hundreds of years old, this anniversary feels more like a small graduation out of childhood rather than a re-entry! We look forward to the many kanreki cycles in this garden’s future, and invite you to celebrate this first auspicious cycle with us as soon as the Garden reopens to the public.

Much of the special programming for our 60th anniversary season has been rescheduled or converted to digital format.  In May and June we are featuring a virtual exhibit of work by local artist Michelle Kumata celebrating the history of the Garden. Please visit the Garden website and sign up for our monthly eNews for the latest on 2020 events. You can also follow our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for exciting daily content!

Bibliography

“Hitting 60 in Japan offers a chance to start over, so don't waste time looking back.” The Japan Times. December 17, 2014.

“The Japanese Calendar History” The National Diet Library of Japan. 2016.