TanabataBy: Destiny Walters

Origin.Orihime represents the star, Vega.

Orihime is a princess who was also a weaver.

She lived on the East side of the river of the Milky Way.

She lives there with her father who was the emperor.

Origin.Kengyuu represents the star of Altair.

He was a handsome and brave herdsman.

He lived on the west side of the river of the Milky Way.

Origin.Orihime and Kengyuu met and fell in love.

They became so in love that she got away from her weaving.

Her father became very angry and separated the two by the river.

But on the 7th day of the 7th month magpies make a bridge across the Milky Way and these two lovers are able to meet on this night and be with each other.

That’s why and how Tanabata festival got started.

What is Tanabata?Tanabata is when two stars Altair and Vega

meet.

It was inspired by an Ancient Chinese Legend of the princess Orihime and herdsman Kengyuu.

It’s the love of the two stars.

It happens once a year.

Why Do the Stars Only Meet Once a Year?

These two stars, Altair and Vega, only meet once a year because they are separated by the Milky Way.

When is Tanabata?Tanabata is on July 7th in some regions.

And August 7th in other regions.

What happens on This Day?

On this day people write their wishes on a piece of paper and hang it on a bamboo tree.

They think doing this will make their wishes come true.

They have big festivals at night all over Japan.

How do They Decorate?They decorate with colorful streamers.

They represent the princesses weave.

It’s very colorful.

How do They Decorate?They also decorate with casting net called

toami.

The casting net represents good luck for fishing and farming.

Also a hand bag called kinchaku which means wealth.

ConclusionMany people across the country of Japan get

together and have big festivals.

It is a time when people right their wishes down and hope they come true.

The streamers that they hang up represent the weaving that the princess, Orihime, weaved.

This is a very special event in Japan.

Bibliography. Hostels, Youth Hostels & Cheap Accommodation With No

Booking Fee! 22 May 2009 <http://hostelbookers.com/guide/japan/events/tanabata-star-festivals/>.

"Tanabata." Learn Japanese - Japanese Language. 22 May 2009 <http://www.japanese.about.com/library/weekly/aa031698.htm>.

Wikipedi.org. 22 May 2009 <http://www.en.wikipedi.org/wiki/Tanabata>.

"Tanabata-Summer Festival in Hiratsuka, Japan." 22 May 2009 <http://www2.gol.com/users/csr-kts/hiratsuka/tanabata/>.