Keiro no Hi: Honouring the Hands That Came Before
On Monday, September 21, Japan observes Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi, 敬老の日) — a national holiday dedicated to celebrating longevity and thanking the elderly for their contributions to family and community. It's a quiet, dignified occasion acknowledged with a visit home, a shared meal, a handwritten card, or a small gift.
image by Elio Santos @ unsplash
For those of us drawn to slow-making and traditional craft, Keiro no Hi carries a particular resonance. So much of what we love about Japanese textiles, ceramics, and paper arts survives only because someone, somewhere, took the time to learn it from an elder — and then, in turn, passed it on. The indigo dyer who apprenticed under a grandmother's hand. The papermaker following centuries old techniques. The weaver who can still recall a stitch taught to them decades ago, by someone who is no longer here to see it used. Craft, at its heart, is intergenerational memory made tangible.
image from Cordovan Leather in Himeji (taken by HOW), read more about the makers here
It's worth noting that the holiday's origins are relatively modest — it began in a small Hyōgo village in 1947 as Toshiyori no Hi ("Old Folks' Day"), before growing into a nationwide holiday by 1966.
image of elderly couple under the cherry blossom by loris-boulinguez @ unsplash
Publicly, the day is marked with a gentle mix of ceremony and everyday kindness. Local governments and community groups often organise small events for older residents — performances, tea gatherings, or commemorative ceremonies — and centenarians are traditionally presented with a silver sake cup. In schools and kindergartens children prepare shows, cards, and handmade gifts for grandparents, and some classes visit local care homes to perform or share a meal with residents. It's a day that plays out as much in community halls and aged-care facilities as it does around the family table.
As for whether younger people are expected to spend the day with grandparents — there's no strict obligation, but it's certainly the spirit of the thing. Because the holiday falls on a Monday, it often creates a long weekend that families use for a visit or a shared meal. For those living further away, a phone call, a handwritten card, or a small seasonal gift is an accepted 'stand in'. And for people without grandparents nearby, volunteering at a local aged care home is a common and welcomed way to mark the day in the same spirit.
From the outside looking in Respect for the Aged Day seems an honourable way to recognise those who have passed on their knowledge, experience and skillful talent to those who follow. In the world of the artisan and maker, this skill transition is seen everywhere in Japan.
Blog post cover image by billow 926 @ unsplash