A transformation of ritual: The nisei 60th birthday

Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology volume 6, pages153–163(1991)Cite this article

Abstract

Rituals are enactments of shared meanings, norms, and values. The kanreki, a traditional Japanese rite of passage to old age at 60, is now being celebrated by Nisei (second generation Japanese Americans). This paper examines the transformation of the Japanese rite of passage to a collective response among the Nisei to the dilemmas of growing older in urban America.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

US$ 39.95

Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References Cited

  1. Embree, J. 1939 Suye Mura: A Japanese Village. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Gardner, R., B. Robey, and P. Smith 1985 Asian Americans: Growth, Change, and Diversity. Population Bulletin 40(4):1–43.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Geertz, C. 1973 The Interpretation of Cultures. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Hosokawa, B. 1969 Nisei: The Quiet Americans. New York: William Morrow and Company.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Iijima, Y. 1987 Folk Culture and the Liminality of Children. Current Anthropology. 28(4):S41-S48.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Japanese American Citizens League and the National Institute of Mental Health 1976 Report of Nisei Retirement Planning Conference. San Francisco.

  7. Joya, M. 1958 Things Japanese. Tokyo: Tokyo News Service, Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Kiefer, C.W. 1974 Changing Cultures, Changing Lives. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Kitagawa, D. 1974 Issei and Nisei: The Internment Years. New York: The Seabury Press.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Nydegger, C. 1986 Age and Life-Course Transitions. In New Methods for Old Age Research. C.L. Fry and J. Keith, eds. Pp. 131–161. South Hadley, MA: Bergin and Garvey.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Osako, M. 1979 Aging and Family Among Japanese Americans: The Role of Ethnic Tradition in the Adjustment to Old Age. The Gerontologist 19:448–455.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Plath, D. 1972 Japan: The After Years. In Aging and Modernization. D. Cowgill and L. Holmes, eds. Pp. 133–150. New York: Appelton-Century Crofts.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Yamamoto, H. 1988 Seventeen Syllables and Other Stories. Latham, NY: Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Human Development and Aging Program University of California, 94143, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A.

    Mary L. Doi

Authors
  1. Mary L. Doi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Doi, M.L. A transformation of ritual: The nisei 60th birthday. J Cross-Cultural Gerontol 6, 153–163 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00056753

Download citation

Key Words

  • aging
  • ethnicity
  • Japanese Americans
  • Nisei
  • ritual