Tanabata: The Star Crossed Lovers’ Festival

It’s the 7th of June, you know what that means! Oh you don’t? Well let me fill you in. Grab a cup of tea, sit back, and let’s dive into the tragic love story that is Tanabata.

Have you ever had one of those moments where you look up at the stars and just wonder about all the stories they could tell? Well in Japan, there is a story. In fact there’s a whole festival around them.

The Legend Behind Tanabata

Tanabata, also known as the Star Festival, is rooted in an ancient Chinese legend called Qixi that made its way to Japan around the eighth century (755 AD). The story revolves around two star-crossed lovers, Orihime (the Weaver Princess) and Hikoboshi (the cowherd).

According to the tale, Orihime was a talented weaver who created beautiful cloth. She was a dedicated worker who would weave cloth day and night but was depressed knowing she’d never find and fall in love with anyone working so hard. Concerned for his daughter, Orihime’s father, the Sky King (Tentei), arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi, a diligent cowherd who lived on the other side of the river.

Legend has it that it was love at first sight. But like any legend, there was a problem. The couple was so smitten with each other that they began neglecting their respective duties. Orihime stopped weaving and Hikoboshi let his cows wander all over heaven. Angry and disappointed, Tentei separated them by creating the River of Heaven (the Milky Way).

After their separation however, Orihime falls into a state of depression and stops working entirely. Begging Tentei to let them reunite. Tentei takes pity on the two and allowed them to reunite just once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month.

Unfortunately, on the first year they were allowed to meet, they found out they had no way to cross the River of Heaven. To bridge this celestial gap, magpies, moved by Orihime’s tears, form a bridge with their wings, allowing Orihime and Hikoboshi to reunite for one day. This moment is celebrated during the Tanabata Festival. It’s also said that if if rains on the 7th of a particular year, the river swells and the Magpies are unable to form a bridge for the lovers to cross.

When and where does Tanabata take place?

Tanabata is traditionally celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month (July 7th), though in some places it can be celebrated as late as August. This variation is due to differences between the lunar calendar and the modern Gregorian calendar. The festival is particularly famous in cities like Sendai and Hiratsuka, where festivities can last for several days.

If you’re planning a trip to Japan during this time, don’t miss it. You might just get to witness some incredible celebrations. Many of which don’t get recorded by English media.

How Tanabata is Celebrated

1. Colorful Decorations: One of the most eye-catching parts of Tanabata is the dazzling array of decorations. In particular, you’ll see bamboo branches adorned with colorful paper strips called tanzaku. Each strip contains wishes or poems written by festival attendees. These branches are often placed outside homes or public spaces and left to flutter in the wind, spreading wishes to the heavens.
2. Yukata Attire: During Tanabata, it’s common to see people wearing yukata, which are lighter and more casual versions of the kimono. It’s a rare chance to add color and tradition to the day.
3. Parades and Performances: Some cities go all out with parades featuring elaborate floats and traditional music performances. Sendai’s Tanabata Festival is particularly well-known for its large and stunning decorations that hang from bamboo poles like vibrant waterfalls.
4. Traditional Games and Food Stalls: Like many Japanese festivals, Tanabata also features a variety of traditional games and food stalls. You can try your hand at games like goldfish scooping or indulge yourself with festival foods like yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), takoyaki (octopus balls), and kakigori (shaved ice).

Details You Might Not Know

Tanabata has some really intriguing nuances that are worth sharing:

1. Regional Variations: While Orihime and Hikoboshi’s story remains central, different regions have their own unique customs and decorations. For example, in Kanagawa Prefecture’s Hiratsuka, you’ll find massive papier-mâché ornaments shaped like popular characters from anime and manga hanging alongside traditional tanzaku streamers.
2. Old vs. New: Historically, farmers believed that writing wishes for good harvests would ensure a bountiful season. Nowadays, wishes tend to be more personalized. Anything from “I hope I pass my exams” to “I wish for good health” or even “I hope she goes on a date with me”.
3. Weather Woes: It’s said that if it rains on Tanabata, the lovers will have to wait another year to meet because the River of Heaven will swell too much for them to cross.

Experiencing Tanabata for Yourself

If you’re lucky enough to be in Japan during Tanabata, make sure you join the festivities and get your wish in:

1. Write your own Tanzaku: Head to any local shrine or community center where you’ll likely find tables set up with tanzaku paper strips and pens. Write down your wish or poem and tie it to a bamboo branch.
2. Enjoy fireworks: Some places celebrate with fireworks displays (hanabi). The bursts of color in the night sky provide a magical ending to a day filled with traditions.
3. Explore local festivals: Visit places like Sendai or Hiratsuka to experience the different styles of celebrating Tanabata that some regions do.
4. Capture memories: Don’t forget your camera! The decorations are often so beautiful that they resemble scenes straight out of a fairy tale book.

Closing thoughts

Tanabata is unique as far as festivals go because it’s a beautiful embodiment of love, hope, and community spirit woven into Japan’s cultural fabric. Even if the legend isn’t originally Japanese. Whether you believe in star-crossed lovers or just enjoy partaking in cultural festivities, Tanabata is a festival worth participating in.

So next time you find yourself under the starlit sky on July 7th, think of Orihime and Hikoboshi making their yearly journey across the Milky Way and maybe even make a wish of your own. Maybe the Gods will hear it this year?

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