Tanabata Japanese Culture source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/katemonkey/122489910/

What is Tanabata? Tanabata occurs on July 7th It is also known as the Star Festival or Star-Crossed Lovers Festival Tanabata is based on an old legend that changes from culture to culture but stays roughly the same.

The legend is based on the Summer Triangle constellation.

The Legend According to legend, Orihime (Or-e-he-may) was a weaver maiden, or a princess in some versions, and Hikoboshi (He-co-bo-shi) was a cow herder. Orihime’s father was the God of the heavens, and he wanted Orihime to be happy in love. He set up Orihime and Hikoboshi and they instantly fell in love.

The Legend Orihime and Hikoboshi were very happy and spent a lot of time together. They spent so much time together that they forgot to do their jobs (weaving kimonos and cow herding) and it is said that there were cows running all over heaven! The God of Heaven became very angry at this, and punished the two lovers by separating them by a river (the Milky Way) for eternity.

The Legend The two lovers cried and begged the God of Heaven to let them see each other just once. The God of Heaven agreed and said that if Orihime and Hikoboshi both do their jobs and work hard every day, that on the 7th day of the 7th month (July 7th) they would be able to reunite for one day.

The Legend When July 7th finally came, the river separating them was flooded and Orihime could not pass it to meet with Hikoboshi. She cried and cried until magpies flew up from Earth and created a bridge over the river so that the two lovers could meet. Each year the two lovers wish for good weather so that the river is not flooded and they may pass easily to see one another.

Tanabata On Tanabata, people often celebrate the reunion of the two lovers by writing wishes on slips of paper and tying them to a tree. The tree is then referred to as a Wish Tree.

Tanabata According to the legend, Orihime and Hikoboshi would wish for good weather each year so that they could see each other. If they met successfully, then everyone who made a wish on Tanabata would have their wish come true.

Wish Tree

Paper wishes

Origami The Japanese art of folding paper into decorative shapes and figures. Paper folding was originally used for religious ceremonies and special occasions due to the fact that paper was very expensive and for the upper class only. Once paper became available to more people, paper folding morphed into what we know today as “origami”

Origami The Japanese consider origami to be an art form. It can also be calming, used for meditation purposes, or simply for fun. The shapes have different meanings, with the most popular crane symbolizing peace.

Origami Wish Tree

Origami Wish Tree