In Japan, there is an annual event called “Tanabata” on July 7th, where people write their wishes on colorful “tanzaku” or strips of paper on bamboo leaves and decorate them to pray to the stars. Tanabata is one of the most familiar events that have been held in Japan since ancient times. Many people in Japan have been familiar with this event since their childhood, through kindergartens and local festivals. I would like to introduce how Tanabata events started, and where you can find Tanabata festivals.
Contents

Origin and meaning of Tanabata

Tanabata” is not familiar to people in the West, but what does this event mean? Tanabata is an event related to the stars, based on the legend that on the night of July 7th, Hikoboshi(Altair) and Orihime(Vega), a married couple located on both sides of the Milky Way, can meet once a year. The legend of Tanabata is based on the legend that the gods warned Orihime and Hikoboshi against the fact that they were always playing around and not working, and allowed them to see each other only once a year on the condition that they work. Also, the legend from ancient Japan and the custom of purification before the Bon Festival were combined to form the current Tanabata. The theme of all of them is praying and wishing, and the embodiment of that is the Tanabata decoration (bamboo decoration). Bamboo leaves are believed to be the place where the gods of the heavens reside, so people hang decorations with their wishes on them and raise them up to the heavens. It is said that this kind of Tanabata originally originated in China. The Tanabata event held in China was introduced to Japan in the Nara period (710-794), and in the Heian period (794-1185), it was held as a court event, and then in the Edo period (1603-1868), it became popular among the common people. In China, Tanabata is different from that of Japan, as wishes are not written on strips of paper, and men often give bouquets of flowers to women, so the event that was introduced from China gradually changed its form and became an event with its own meaning in Japan.

write a wish on a strip of paper

In the Edo period (1603-1868), as the Tanabata event spread, people began to decorate bamboo leaves with strips of paper on which they wrote their wishes. Nowadays, it is common to freely write wishes on them, but since Tanabata originated as a wish for the improvement of things, writing desires such as “I want a car,” “I want to go on a trip abroad,” or “I want to win the lottery” would be very far from the original meaning of Tanabata. Therefore, if you want to keep the traditional Japanese event, I recommend that you make a wish that takes into account the origin of Tanabata. For example, it is a good idea to wish for things to improve, such as “passing exams” or “improving your learning. It is also recommended to follow the ancient Japanese way and wish for “good health”, “safety of your family” ,and “happiness in marriage” in reference to the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi.

Meaning of the colors of strips of paper

Tanzaku, or strips of paper, are very colorful and beautiful to see displayed on bamboo leaves. actuality, each color of tanzaku has its own meaning.

The meaning of blue and green tanzaku

Blue has the meaning of growth. If your wish is to grow as a person, you should write it on a blue (green) strip of paper. For example, “help others” and “be considerate” are suitable for blue (green) strips of paper because they wish to improve one’s personal qualities.

The meaning of red strips of paper

The color red represents gratitude, especially to those who are more senior than you. Therefore, if you want to write a message of gratitude to your grandparents, parents, ancestors, or others around you, choose red tanzaku.

The meaning of yellow strips of paper

Yellow represents trust and sincerity. Therefore, you should write your wishes for relationships on yellow strips of paper. You can use it to wish for better relationships at work, or to continue good relationships with your friends. And, family and marital relationships are also included in human relationships, so yellow strips of paper are also suitable for wishing for safety of your family and happy married life.

The meaning of white strips of paper

White color has the meaning of following the rules or fulfilling one’s duty. For example, children can use white strips of paper to wish for things like “never being late” or “never forgetting something. If you are an adult, you can also write wishes such as “drive safely” on them. They can also be used for wishes such as “I will quit smoking” or “I will stop drinking alcohol” to express one’s determination to change one’s behavior.

The meaning of black and purple strips of paper

Black strips are usually used instead of purple strips. This is because black has an image of bad luck and because it is difficult to see the text. The color black (purple) has the meaning of knowledge and wisdom, so wishes related to schoolwork should be written on them. Although people tend to think of schoolwork as something limited to students, it can be used for working people as well. For example, black (purple) strips of paper are suitable for wishes such as “getting a promotion” or “passing a qualification exam”.

Tanabata Festival seen in Japan

Sendai Tanabata Festival

One of the three major Tanabata festivals in Japan is the Sendai Tanabata Festival held in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. This Festival has a long history, having already been held for 400 years. The 400 years of history dates back to the early Edo period. It is also advertised as a traditional festival that dates back to the time of Date Masamune, the founder of the Sendai clan. Basically, the Sendai Tanabata Festival is held for three days, from August 6 to 8. Originally, Tanabata was celebrated on July 7th.However, this is according to the lunar calendar, so it may not be appropriate in modern times when the new calendar is used. Therefore, the Sendai Tanabata Festival is held on August 7th, one month later than the old one, and the festival is held for three days before and after August 7th. The main feature of the Sendai Tanabata Festival is the gorgeous bamboo decorations that are made every year. Giant bamboos more than 10 meters long are decorated with kusudama (paper balls) with images of animals, mari(tradditonal balls), etc. and paper streamers with flowers and designs on them. Although the Sendai Tanabata Festival is included a variety of events, this bamboo decoration alone is worth seeing.

Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival

Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival, held in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, is one of the three major Tanabata festivals in Japan. This Festival was first held in 1951 as a post-war commercial promotion measure, and has now become a Tanabata Festival with the participation of the entire city of Hiratsuka. Basically, the festival is held for three days starting on the first Friday of July every year. It starts on Friday and ends on Sunday, so it is easy to go and see the festivities. The shopping street is filled with about 500 bamboo decorations, especially in the Shonan Star Mall, the main venue, where large decorations over 10 meters long and gorgeous bamboo decorations featuring the most talked-about people and animals of the year appear. At night, the bamboo decorations are lit up, creating a fantastic atmosphere that is different from the lively decorations blowing in the wind during the day. The festival is also famous for its many food stalls, about 400 in total. From goldfish scoopers, haunted houses, and other entertaining stalls, to stalls offering standard menus and international cuisine, there are plenty to choose from. It is a festival that reflects the passion and spirit of the citizens of Hiratsuka, where people can enjoy watching, eating, dancing, and being moved.

Textile Thanksgiving – Ichinomiya Tanabata Star Festival

Textile Thanksgiving – Ichinomiya Tanabata Star Festival is held in Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture, where the textile industry is flourishing, as a traditional event to give thanks to the god of textiles and pray for the prosperity of the textile industry. The festival is held over four days from Thursday, becoming the summer tradition in Ichinomiya that 1.2million people visit. The main shopping street of the festival is decorated with traditional and original spectacular streamers decorations of various sizes and looks. Yosakoi dancing, drum and fife bands, traditional folk songs, brass bands, pop music, and a wide range of other genres of parades are held every day, but the biggest parade of all is the 300-meter-long “Onzo Dedication Procession” to dedicate Ichinomiya City’s specialty woolen cloth to Masumida Shrine. The sight of people dressed in samurai, kamishimo and kimono parading through the streets while performing kagura and dances will make you feel as if you have slipped back in time to the days of elegance.

Let’s enjoy Tanabata

Tanabata has been held as a court event in the Heian period (794-1185), and in the Edo period (1603-1868), it became popular among the general public. If you can participate in the festival or event when you visit Japan, it will surely be a wonderful memory.One of the great things about Tanabata is that people of all ages, genders, and nationalities can easily participate. I hope you enjoy Tanabata events!