Tanabata

Tanabata (七夕) is the Japanese name for the originally Chinese star festival (see Qi Qiao Jie). Held on July 7 the festival celebrates the meeting of Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair). The Milky Way, a river made from stars that crosses the sky, separated these two lovers, and they were allowed to meet only once a year. This special day is the 7th of July.

People in Japan celebrate this day by wearing yukata and decorating the bamboo leaves. They write their wishes on the tanzaku and hang them on the leaves. It is said that the Orihime and Hikoboshi would make their dreams come true. Having been decorated, the bamboo tree is thrown into a river.