The Doodle for today honours Respect for the Aged Day, or Keir no Hi or in Japanese. ‘Old Folks Day’ was originally observed in a village in the Hygo Prefecture in the middle of September 1947. As word of the idea spread, communities all throughout Japan started holding celebrations in memory of the elderly, and in 1966 Respect for the Aged Day was made a national holiday.
However new this holiday may be, respect for the elderly is not new. When speaking to persons who are older than oneself, the honorific system of speech known as keigo is employed to convey respect. The third Monday in September is now set aside to honour people with vast knowledge and life experience.
Visits to parents, grandparents, and other family members to present a gift, have a meal, or just spend time together are among the most common ways people celebrate. In addition to the government giving a silver-plated sake cup to people who turned 100 in the year before the holiday, volunteers provide free bento-box lunches to their senior neighbours. The media in Japan devotes programmes to some of the oldest citizens in the nation and conducts interviews with them to learn about their experiences and advice on how to live a long, healthy life. Schoolchildren perform songs and dances at Keirokai celebrations, and older competitors in athletic or fitness competitions can’t match their liveliness.
Thank an older today for their valuable advice, life lessons, and stories. Japan, happy Respect for the Aged Day!
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