Every year on July 7th, Japan celebrates a special holiday known as Tanabata or the “Star Festival.”
Steeped in legend, Tanabata (七夕/ star festival) 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.
Learn more about Tanabata below.
READ THE TANABATA STORY
TANABATA ACTIVITY SHEETS
MAKE TANABATA DECORATIONS
Decorated bamboo trees are a symbol of Tanabata. In Japan, around Tanabata season, decorated bamboo branches can be seen in schools, shopping centers, train stations and other public places.
Each Tanabata decoration holds special meaning.
Lantern: Lights up our hearts; gives hope for the future.
Ring: Connects our colorful dreams.
Net: Originally provided hope for bountiful fishing; catches dreams.
MAKE A WISH
We invite you to use the template below to write your own Tanabata wish on tanzaku (短冊).
Share your wish with us by emailing lhurley@jas-hou.org or uploading your wish with the hashtag #JASHwish2020. All contributions received will be added to a WISH GALLERY on the JASH website.
