Dates for Commemorative Events

[SeizanBreyette]

Good afternoon, everyone. My question concerns dates on which commemorative events are held; in this case, an event commemorating the passing of famous persons.

Sorry if this seems rather elementary to many of you. I am not Japanese, despite my name. I am trying to help acquaintances understand the culture of such events.

I believe if a person passed in 1970, his 25th-Year Commemorative would be held in 1974 -- as he ENTERS his 25th year of passing, is this correct?

Consequently, his 33rd-Year Commemorative would be held in 2002, as he ENTERED his 33rd year, yes?

Next, is his event held during the month of his passing, as close to the actual date as possible? Is it acceptable to hold it at any other time (for convenience sake) during the commemorative year?

 

[SeizanBreyette]

Sorry, a typo -- his 33rd would be held in 2007, not 2002. Entering his 33rd year...

 

[thomas]

Welcome to the forum!


Logically, if the person passed on, let's say, 1 July 1970, the memorial services would be held around that date in 1971, 1975, 1983, 1987, 1995, 2003, and 2020.

 

[thomas]

I asked my significant other about this. Years ago, we attended her grandmother's Sanjusan-kaiki at Engakuji in Kitakamakura.

That's when I learned that Buddhist priests have a very worldly side as far as culinary extravaganza and automobiles are concerned.

Anyhow, according to the Buddhist calendar, certain inauspicious days have to be avoided:

• 友引 (tomobiki) – Funerals are avoided this day, but private gatherings of friends are permitted.
• 仏滅 (butsumetsu) – This day, literally meaning "death of the Buddha", is thought to be inauspicious all day.

 

[SeizanBreyette]

Sorry, wrote after a long meeting session here. I meant to use 1975, 1999, 2004, etc. but again, typo (glasses left at school) I typed 1970. Discovered the spare pair just an hour ago...

The actual year I was questioned on is 1950 (so, 1974, 1982, and so forth).

Thanks for the info. And thanks for your welcome!

 

[SeizanBreyette]

I asked my significant other about this. Years ago, we attended her grandmother's Sanjūsannichi at Engakuji in Kitakamakura.

That's when I learned that Buddhist priests have a very worldly side as far as culinary extravaganza and automobiles are concerned.

Anyhow, according to the Buddhist calendar, certain inauspicious days have to be avoided:

• 友引 (tomobiki) – Funerals are avoided this day, but private gatherings of friends are permitted.
• 仏滅 (butsumetsu) – This day, literally meaning "death of the Buddha", is thought to be inauspicious all day.

Those days could be avoided by only another day or two, if convenient, yes? So could a commemorative still be held as close to the exact date as possible, but just a day or so off if avoiding certain inauspicious days?

 

[thomas]

Those days could be avoided by only another day or two, if convenient, yes? So could a commemorative still be held as close to the exact date as possible, but just a day or so off if avoiding certain inauspicious days?

Yes, that would be my understanding.

 

[SeizanBreyette]

Many thanks, Thomas...!

 

[Majestic]

Here's something in Japanese that explains it. Basically the 25th anniversary (for example) can take place once the deceased has been dead for a full 24 years (and therefore enters the 25th year post-death).

回忌の正しい数え方を解説！宗教・宗派による法要の違いとは？

回忌とは故人が亡くなった日から一定の年数を迎えた祥月命日を指す言葉で、それに合わせて遺族は、故人を供養するために法要を設けます。今回は、回忌の正しい数え方や宗教・宗派による違いなどを紹介します。

www.osohshiki.jp

 

[Toritoribe]

Those days could be avoided by only another day or two, if convenient, yes? So could a commemorative still be held as close to the exact date as possible, but just a day or so off if avoiding certain inauspicious days?

As for my family temple, commemorative events are held only before the exact date, and never done after the date. It's acceptable even a month or so before the date.

 

[thomas]

This page has some more info in English:

Isshuki 1 full year after day of death
San-kaiki 2 full years after day of death
Nana-kaiki 6 full years after day of death
Jusan-kaiki 12 full years after day of death
Junana-kaiki 16 full years after day of death
Nijusan-kaiki 22 full years after day of death
Nijunana-kaiki 26 full years after day of death
Sanjusan-kaiki 32 full years after day of death
Sanjunana-kaiki 36 full years after day of death
Yonjusan-kaiki 42 full years after day of death
Yonjunana-kaiki 46 full years after day of death
Goju-kaiki 49 full years after day of death
Hyakkaiki 99 full years after day of death]

ご法要・ご法事｜山菜料理玉貴

故人の懐かしい思い出を語り合う和やかなひととき。玉貴では故人のご冥福を祈る安らかな時間のお手伝いに最高のおもてなし料理をご用意しておまちしております。

www.sansai-tamaki.com