The Longevity Ranking Frame in Hakata

A pair of large wooden frames with the inscription of 2648 names including 1252 male names dated Showa 10 (1935) and 1396 female names dated the next year, Showa 11 (1936). The frames were created and dedicated to the Kushida Shrine by Hakata Takasagoren, a community group of elderly citizens. The names of a 88 year-old man and a 95 year-old woman are placed at the top of each frame and the names of people over 40 years old are inscribed in the longevity ranking style.
The word “Shorou” used in the frame means 40 years old. In Fukuoka, age 40 was considered to be a very important turning point in one’s life. In some areas in Fukuoka, people still carry out a grand celebration called “Shorouga” for the 40th birthday. Even today, the number of people who look forward to having a spectacular parade and a splendid party for their celebration and who save money in installments to pay for the event is not small. People in Fukuoka have many more occasions to celebrate since they also have a special event for the age 42, which is said to be a critical age for a man. The celebration of Shorou is one climax of an event in life-stage related rituals for the people in Fukuoka and the surrounding area.
Also this longevity-ranking frame clearly shows us that the age 40 is the turning point in one’s life to enter the elderly stage. There are age distinctions called Kodomo (child), Wakate (youth), Chunen (middle age) and Toshiyori (elderly) in Hakata, and the celebration of age 40 is based on such life stage distinction. Longevity-rankings other than the exhibited frames usually list the names of people over 60 years old. Therefore it is understood that the age distinction of Toshiyori (elderly) was a separate concept from the idea of Chouju (longevity).