Kiju and Hyakuju: Celebrate a 100th Birthday! Handmade Shikishi Ideas That Will Delight
A 100th birthday celebration is called kiju or hyakuju in Japan.
Even though more people in Japan are living longer these days, reaching 100 is not something just anyone can do.
If someone in your family is turning 100, you’ll want to celebrate in a big way!
In this article, we’ll share handmade shikishi (decorative message board) ideas that are perfect for a 100th birthday celebration.
We’ve gathered recommended designs and ideas, including auspicious motifs like cranes and turtles.
If you’re wondering what kind of shikishi to make, use these ideas as inspiration!
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Kiju/Hyakujyu: Celebrating 100 Years! Handmade Message Board Ideas That Will Delight (1–10)
Caricature shikishi (portrait drawing on a square art board)
https://www.tiktok.com/@sachi0312.k/video/7277915582974938370When a portrait is included, it really heightens that warm feeling that it was made just for you, doesn’t it? This design features a portrait of the person you’re gifting it to, decorated with celebratory messages and happy motifs like flowers.
Be sure the portrait is smiling, and aim for an overall cheerful vibe that clearly conveys your congratulations.
Flowers are a classic choice for decorating around the portrait, but it’s also a great idea to incorporate items they cherish or their personal treasures into the design so it reflects who they are.
Decorating with origami
This design arranges various origami motifs, conveying a sense of cuteness and fun.
Lining up items like cranes and turtles that evoke longevity helps clearly express your celebratory feelings.
Since three-dimensional origami will be placed, be mindful of the overall balance so the message doesn’t get hidden, and proceed with the design accordingly.
In addition to Japanese motifs symbolizing longevity, it’s also recommended to add designs that reflect the person themselves—through messages or origami.
Colored paper with a cat design
This design incorporates animal motifs and is especially recommended as a gift for people who have pets.
By arranging a photo of the recipient alongside motifs of animals—such as cats—it conveys a sense of the bond with their beloved family members.
How you depict the animals is also key: combining decorative elements to create a three-dimensional look will make the animals stand out even more.
To fully bring out the charm of the motifs, it’s best to keep the colors of the decorations consistent.
Bouquet-colored paper
When it comes to celebratory gifts, a bouquet of flowers is a classic—it lifts the spirits across generations.
Arrange the bouquet as if accompanying your message, so it conveys the size and warmth of your congratulations.
Use artificial flowers for the bouquet; if it’s too voluminous, the message can get lost, so a flatter shape is recommended.
Balance not only the combination of flowers but also the decorations on the card and the way the message is written, to create a beautiful overall finish.
Name Tsumugi poem colored paper
A “name-weaving poem” is a poem that uses a person’s name, and by giving it as a gift, it may help them cherish their name even more.
While using such a name-weaving poem, let’s decorate it with handprints, messages, and the like to create a vibrant shikishi (decorative board).
The thrill of discovering one’s own name within the poem is also an important point, so we’ll craft the sentences while paying attention to how the name is hidden.
Because the person’s name overlaps with the congratulatory message, it conveys warm celebratory feelings clearly.