Family and friends gathered at Wesley Homes Des Moines to celebrate Anna Hasegawa’s Beiju on August 1st. In Japanese culture, the 88th birthday, or “Beiju” (米寿), is known as the long life celebration. Beiju is a play on the kanji characters for rice and 88. “Bei” (rice米) is important in Japanese society because it sustains life and represents purity and wholesomeness. “Ju” (寿) means blessing to one’s longevity or just congratulations for a long life well lived! The character for rice can be broken down to its basic components and rearranged as 八十八、or 88.
In traditional style, the birthday person wears a zukin (cap) and a chanchanko (vest) and sits on a zabuton (cushion), all the color of gold. Anna’s chanchanko was made by fellow Wesley Homes Des Moines resident Betty Hall.
Anna’s Beiju celebration was beautifully arranged with a central theme of sharing stories and getting to know new people. Guests were encouraged to introduce themselves to people they’d never met before and share their own stories as well as stories about Anna. After getting to know one another and eating some delicious traditional Japanese food, including sushi and mochi, The Jump Ensemble kicked the party off in style. The Jump Ensemble is a jazz band with Anna’s son, Marty Hasegawa, on electric bass. Also in attendance were Anna’s daughters: Betsy, Ellen, Carol and Sheri.
After the music, people gathered for cake and to share stories about Anna. The party ended with Ubon dancing, which is a traditional Japanese dance performed to honor the spirit of our ancestors. See photos of the event here!
Wesley Homes is a not-for-profit organization in the Pacific Northwest offering retirement communities, home health services and rehabilitation in King and Pierce counties for people who love life.™
A wonderful party for a fantastic lady who gas done so many great volunteer services for Wesley Homes…..and a family which brings her much joy and happiness.
What a PERFECT celebration for Anna!!! It is nice to see her on the receiving end of kindness as she is usually on the GIVING end at Wesley, and in the Des Moines community!!
The wonderful celebration of Anna and her years could not have been more fun and enjoyable. We all know of the love Anna has for her family and her friends. Bringing all Anna’s communities together in celebration of Anna brought great joy and love to all who attended. Her celebration turned out to be a gift Anna gave to us.
Joe & Sue, you’re both so right! Anna’s so generous. We’re lucky to have her here.
A is for Anna, my Godmother. Sad my Godfather Harry is gone
N is for Nurturing; with Anna’s love, we can never go wrong
N is for Noble, Nice, and Nummy High Tea confections
A is for Ainu, Anna’s Aboriginal connections
H is for Hasegawa, Heifer Project, and Hokkaido Isle
A is for Alert, Attentive, and Aloha with a smile
S is for her Sweet Sincerity, which is comforting and true
E is for Energetic, Eighty-Eight, and Education, too
G is for Generous, Gracious, and Genuine for real
A is for Amiable, Attention to detail, and Artist with zeal!
W is for Wesley Homes, Wonderful, and Wisdom
A is for Angel, Always humble, and Awesome
Those Hasegawas sure know how to throw a party! Anna, you look amazing in gold. Glad to see all your children around you.
P.S. Love the Banana Grandmas table!
Love,
Deb