The Tanabata Festival
Find out about one of Japan’s most popular summer festivals!
Editor’s Note: This article is a little late, as 2020’s Tanabata season has already passed. Still, since I’m writing about Japan’s summer festivities, I simply had to share this cool event with you!
What is Tanabata?
Tanabata, also known as the Star Festival, is one of Japan’s big summer festivals. A holiday in the literal sense, it celebrates the meeting of a god and goddess, two lovers only permitted to see each other on the evening of July 7th. The word “tanabata” (七夕) even means “seventh evening!”
A well-known and beloved holiday in Japan, Tanabata season is marked by bamboo trees decorated with bright, festive paper adornments. They almost look like Christmas trees. But these aren’t Christmas ornaments — they’re Tanabata wishes.
Wishing upon stars
In the days leading up to the Star Festival, children and adults both write their wishes on colorful strips of paper, and hang them on bamboo trees. The strips of paper are called tanzaku, and are one of the funnest parts of Tanabata. (The tanabata tree even has its own emoji! 🎋 )
This tradition dates back to the Edo period, when peasants hung their wishes on the tallest bamboo branches they could find. Why? So their wishes would be closer to the heavens, giving a better chance that the gods see and grant them.
The festival has been happening in Japan since around 755 AD; but the history of Tanabata goes back even longer.
The Backstory
As with many Japanese things, Tanabata originates from Chinese culture. Specifically, it comes from the Qixi Festival, an event tied with the story of The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.
This festival was observed by the Empress Kōken — Japan’s monarch during the Heian period. When she returned to her country, the Japanese empress brought with her the festival, and the story.
Lovers separated by the stars
In the heavens lived a princess, Orihime.
She was a great seamstress, weaving beautiful clothing for her father, the Sky King. But as she crafted along the Heavenly River, she grew lonely, and her father noticed.
He arranged for her to meet a cowherd from across the river, a young man named Hikoboshi.
The two fell madly in love… and began neglecting their duties. This made the Sky King furious.
So the Sky King banished the lovers to either side of the river, only to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month of each year.
While there are longer, slightly different takes on the story, this is the most essential version.
And like many legends, the celestial bodies played the parts of this story:
- Orihime, the Weaver, is Vega.
- Hikoboshi, the Cowherd, is Altair.
- The Heavenly River itself is the Milky Way Galaxy.
- The Sky King is also known as Tentei, and is god.
The Festival Today
Power of paper
Tanabata is a popular festival partly because of how flashy it is. Many paper decorations signal its arrival, and each ornament has its own unique meaning. Here are a few:
- Tanzaku: These are the strips of paper bearing peoples’ wishes, and the most well-known tradition of Tanabata.
Orizuru: Paper cranes, which represent longevity and concentration. (Ori“fold” +tsuru“crane”).Fukinagashi: Long, vibrant streamers, representing the threads Orihime wove.Kinchaku: Kinchaku means “purse,” which is what these decorations resemble. They symbolize not only financial wealth, but a wealth of wisdom and cleverness.Kuzukago: These strange decorations are made to resemble trash bags. Why? They represent collecting bits of silk and yarn, the mark of resourcefulness, thriftiness, and recycling.
Conclusion
Japanese summers are filled with many exciting events and traditions! It’s the perfect chance to focus on more bite-sized, fun articles, rather than long-form research pieces. That means more fun stories for you!
Look forward to the next article, where we discuss the special identity that three Japanese bugs hold in summer. Until then, wear a mask, stay safe, and be kind! 🙏
