Tanabata
Tanabata (七夕) is a Japanese star festival held on July 7 (or August 7 in some regions), celebrating the annual meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi, represented by the stars Vega and Altair. People write wishes on colorful strips of paper and hang them on bamboo branches, which are often set afloat on water or burned after the festival.
The Legend of Tanabata
The story behind Tanabata comes from a Chinese folk tale, the legend of the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd, which was introduced to Japan centuries ago. Orihime (織姫, Weaving Princess), the daughter of the Sky King, wove beautiful cloth by the banks of the Milky Way. She fell in love with Hikoboshi (彦星, Cowherd Star), a cowherd who lived on the other side. After they married, they became so absorbed in each other that Orihime stopped weaving and Hikoboshi let his cows wander. The Sky King, angered, separated them across the Milky Way and forbade them to meet except on the seventh day of the seventh month.
On that night, if the weather is clear, a magpie forms a bridge across the river of stars so they can cross. If it rains, the river is too high, and they must wait another year. This is why, in Japan, rainy weather on Tanabata is said to mean the two lovers cannot meet.
The Festival Today
Tanabata is celebrated on July 7 in most of Japan, but some regions observe it on August 7, following the lunar calendar. The date is also sometimes adjusted to August 7 to coincide with the Obon season. The festival is marked by decorations in homes, schools, and public spaces. Many cities hold large Tanabata festivals, with colorful streamers and decorations adorning shopping streets. The most famous is the Sendai Tanabata Festival, held from August 6 to 8, which attracts millions of visitors.
The Wishes on Bamboo
A central custom is writing wishes on small, colorful strips of paper called tanzaku (短冊). People write their hopes and dreams on these strips and hang them on bamboo branches. The bamboo is often decorated with other ornaments, each with a symbolic meaning. For example, kamigoromo (紙衣) are paper robes meant to improve sewing and weaving, and orizuru (折鶴) folded paper cranes are for family health and longevity.
At the end of the festival, the bamboo is burned or set afloat on a river or the sea. This act sends the wishes up to the heavens. In some traditions, the bamboo is burned on the evening of Tanabata, while in others it is kept until the next day.
The practice of writing wishes on tanzaku is relatively modern, becoming widespread in the Edo period (1603–1868). Originally, the festival was more about praying for good harvests and the development of weaving and other crafts.
Celebrations and Customs
Children often sing Tanabata songs, and many families decorate their homes with bamboo. In schools, children make their own tanzaku and hang them on bamboo trees in the classroom. Some communities hold parades with floats, and others have fireworks displays. The festival is a time for expressing gratitude and hope, and it is one of the five seasonal festivals (五節句, gosekku) that were officially recognized in the Edo period.
Language Notes
Tanabata is written 七夕, which literally means "seventh night." The reading tanabata is an old Japanese word for a loom, reflecting the weaving theme. In modern Japanese, the festival is often referred to as the Star Festival (星祭り, hoshi matsuri).
The names Orihime and Hikoboshi are also used for the stars Vega (織女星, Shokujosei) and Altair (牽牛星, Ken'yūsei), respectively, in astronomical contexts.
Regional Variations
While the basic customs are similar, there are regional differences. In the Tōhoku region, the Sendai Tanabata is famous for its elaborate decorations. In the Kantō region, the festival in Hiratsuka is also well known. Some areas, like the city of Anjō in Aichi Prefecture, have their own unique traditions. The date can also vary: in some places, Tanabata is celebrated on July 7, but in others, it is on August 7, and a few areas celebrate on other dates based on the lunar calendar.
Related Vocabulary
To talk about Tanabata in Japanese, you might use the following words:
- 七夕（たなばた）: Tanabata
- 短冊（たんざく）: strip of paper for wishes
- 笹（ささ）: bamboo grass
- 織姫（おりひめ）: Orihime, the weaver princess
- 彦星（ひこぼし）: Hikoboshi, the cowherd
- 天の川（あまのがわ）: the Milky Way
- 願い事（ねがいごと）: wish
Learning More
If you are studying Japanese, Tanabata is a good topic to explore because it connects to grammar and vocabulary. You can practice writing your own tanzaku in Japanese, using expressions like 〜ますように (I hope that…) or 〜たい (I want to…). For example, 日本語が上手になりますように (I hope I become good at Japanese).
For more on related vocabulary, see the vocabulary page. To learn about the history of festivals in Japan, you might visit the Japanese history page. And if you want to practice reading and writing, check out the daily lessons for seasonal content.
Tanabata is not a romantic holiday for couples; it is a family and community festival where people, especially children, write wishes.
Questions
What do you write on a Tanabata wish?
You write a wish or a goal on a small strip of paper called tanzaku. Common wishes are for good health, success in studies, or learning Japanese. You can write anything you hope for.
Why is Tanabata sometimes in August?
Some regions celebrate Tanabata in August because they follow the lunar calendar, which places the seventh day of the seventh month in August. The Sendai Tanabata Festival, for example, is held from August 6 to 8.
What do you do with the bamboo after Tanabata?
After the festival, the bamboo decorations are often burned or set afloat on a river or the sea. This is believed to send the wishes up to the heavens. In some places, the bamboo is kept for a few days before being disposed of.