Author: Theo F.
Editor: Aika Matsui
Translator: Kotoko
The lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi are only allowed to meet every year on the seventh day of the seventh month, but what have they done to deserve this?
Tanabata, celebrated on July 7 (Gregorian calendar) or during August (based on the traditional lunar calendar), follows the folktale behind the couple’s melancholic situation. It is said that the festival originated from an ancient Chinese ceremony shichiseki (七夕) where participants pleaded for skills and ability. Amongst the innumerable versions of Orihime and Hikoboshi’s story, one prominent depiction of the folktale describes Orihime as the princess of cloth-weaving.
The diligent Orihime was talented in her craft and her father – God – often enjoyed her masterpieces. Due to her work, Orihime felt dejected as she lacked both the opportunity and time for romantic encounters. In order to cheer his daughter up, God arranged for Orihime to meet Hikoboshi, a cowherd who lived across the Milky Way. The meeting was a success as the two fell head over heels for each other. Soon after, Hikoboshi took Orihime as his wife.
However, the galaxy went haywire once the couple married. Hikoboshi ceased to exert control over his herd of rampaging cows, and Orihime no longer weaved for her customers nor for her father. Furious, God inserted the Milky Way in between and broke the two lovers apart. So that she can see her husband again, Orihime repented and promised to work hard in exchange for yearly meetings with Hikoboshi. God granted her wish and permitted them to meet on the seventh day of the seventh month, where magpies would build a bridge with their wings upon the Milky Way, enabling Orihime to cross.
Orihime and Hikoboshi’s story is intriguing, but what do we actually do during the festival of Tanabata?
Inspired by some elements of the Chinese practice, Tanabata is a festival where we plead for our wishes to come true. During the festive days of Tanabata, you can see bamboo stalks around Japan with pieces of paper hung on them.
These pieces of paper are called tanzaku (短冊), and festival-goers write their wishes on them. Since bamboos grow straight and tall, it is said that Gods and spirits descend to drive away the impure and grant wishes. Other than hanging tanzaku, participants also often wear yukatas (traditional Japanese clothing) to enjoy the festive ambiance.
For those interested in going to Tanabata celebrations, there are a few major ones around Saitama, Tokyo, and Kanagawa; but due to the pandemic there is a high probability that they will be postponed or cancelled this year. So making your own DIY tanzaku and having a Zoom Tanabata party might be fun too!
Times Of TIU 