On Friday, July 7, twenty-one JASH volunteers joined the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston at Children's Museum Houston to celebrate Tanabata (七夕/ star festival).
Steeped in legend, Tanabata honors the tale of Orihime and Hikoboshi. According to folklore, 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. With the stars aligning for this reunion, wishes are destined to come true. So on this day, Japanese write their own wishes on colorful paper (tanzaku) and hang them from bamboo branches.
JASH volunteers helped visitors to the Museum experienceTanabata traditions by folding origami magpies, crafting Tanabata decorations, creating tanzaku wishes, and mastering a few kendama skills.
Many thanks to all who came out to enjoy Tanabata with us. We hope all your wishes will come true!