Question

Your co-worker was talking about how, after the academic year, he is going back to Japan for his grandmother's kanreki. What is the purpose of this ritual?

a. To celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary
b. To celebrate the birth of her first grandson
c. To celebrate her freedom from previous responsibilities and elevate her to a respected status as elder
d. To celebrate her professional accomplishments as she enters retirement

Answer 1

The kanreki is a traditional Japanese celebration of a person's 60th birthday, signifying the completion of one life cycle and the beginning of another. The correct answer is option c.

Step-by-step explanation:

The kanreki is a significant cultural tradition in Japan, marking a person's 60th birthday. This milestone is rooted in the traditional East Asian 60-year calendrical cycle and signifies the completion of one life cycle and the beginning of another.

The celebration is associated with rebirth and new beginnings, often leading to a renewed sense of freedom and elevation in status as the individual becomes an elder within the community. Thus, the correct answer to the purpose of the kanreki ritual is: c. To celebrate her freedom from previous responsibilities and elevate her to a respected status as elder.

The event goes beyond simply marking a birthday; it represents a profound respect for the elderly and acknowledges their lifetime contributions to family and society. During the kanreki, the individual is honored and celebrated.