How to Celebrate Respect for the Aged Day

Japanese culture is steeped in religion and custom. They hold a particularly special place in their culture and their hearts for the aged in their society. As a show of this respect for their elders, the Japanese celebrate Respect for the Aged Day on September 15th each year. This year, share this tradition with your family, incorporating elements of your own culture to make the holiday personally significant to you.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Japanese culture books

1. Obtain a book about Japanese culture and read about this and other Japanese customs to get an idea of how their culture differs from your own. A map may also be a useful tool for children, to show them geographically where this tradition originated.

2. Have a discussion with those close to you about the elders in your family and community whether they are living or deceased. Make sure you talk with your family about the things these elders have contributed to you and the world.

3. Visit the graves of deceased elders to show your respect. Make sure the gravesite is properly maintained and decorate with flowers if you so choose.

4. Do something nice for your living elders. Take them flowers, make them breakfast or dinner, treat them to golf or a day of antiquing as a way of showing you care.

5. Remember to tell your elders, family members or not, how much you love and respect them and also tell them what they have meant to you and your life.

6. Offer a prayer in their honor if you are a religious person. Pray for their health, long life and well-being.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk with any Japanese people you know about this holdiay tradition. Most people will be willing to share their customs as long as they understand you ask out of interest and respect.
• Take kids to visit a senior citizens' home if you don't happen to be close to any of your own elders. Talking with these people will help young people to understand the lives these people have led, to respect the contributions they have made to society and to think of the elderly as real people.
• Make sure you take on the celebration of this holiday with the utmost of sincerity. Most Japanese people would be greatly offended if this tradition were not honored with respect.