What is Tanabata
Tanabata (Japanese: たなばた or 七夕), also known as the Japanese Traditional Star Festival. It celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively). According to legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar. The date of Tanabata varies by region of the country but the first festivities begin on 7th July of the Gregorian calendar.
It's tradition to write Tanabata wishes (known as tanzaku) on colorful strips of paper and hang them on Tanabata trees made from bamboo branches. People also decorate their houses and public spaces. Japanese children write their wishes on the Tanzaku and sing Tanabata song to enjoy celebrating Tanabata at school every year.
The history of Orihime and Hikoboshi
Let’s learn more about the story of the Tanabata festival’s heroes: Orihime (the girl) and Hikoboshi (the boy). It’s a bit of a tear-jerker, but it is also very beautiful. Orihime, the daughter of the Universe, is a weaver who works very hard on the river side of the Milky Way river. She creates many beautiful clothes, and her father is very happy with her hard work. But something is missing in Orihime’s life and she longs for someone to love. Her father feels sorry for her and arranges for her to meet a boy from the other side of the river. His name is Hikoboshi, who was a cowherd and when they met, they fell head over heels for each other. They got married and were happy but started to neglect their work. Orihime no longer weaves her pretty clothes and the cows start to stray in Heaven. This angered the Universe and he splits up the couple on different sides of the Milky Way and forbids them to meet. Orihime is so sad to be separated from her husband that she begs her father to let her see him. He again feels sorry for her and allows them to meet once a year on the 7th day of the 7th month after she finishes her weaving work. At first, Orihime and Hikoboshi can’t cross the river but when Orihime starts to cry, a group of birds come to the rescue and create a bridge for her to cross the river and meet her beloved husband again. However, if it rains on the 7th day of the 7th month, then unfortunately, they can’t meet because the birds can’t come and in that case, they have to wait another year. So if it rains on Tanabata the Japanese call it ‘the tears of Orihime and Hikoboshi.