All about Tanabata

Sure! Tanabata is a special celebration in Japan that is based on a beautiful love story. It is about two lovers, Orihime (the Weaving Princess) and Hikoboshi (the Cow Herder), who are separated by the Milky Way and can only meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month.

According to the legend, Orihime was a talented weaver who caught the eye of Hikoboshi, a hardworking cow herder. They fell in love and spent all their time together, neglecting their duties. This made the gods angry, and they separated the two lovers by the Milky Way, allowing them to meet only once a year.

On the night of Tanabata, people in Japan write their wishes on colorful strips of paper called tanzaku and hang them on bamboo branches. They believe that their wishes will come true if they do this. They also decorate the bamboo with beautiful ornaments and streamers.

Tanabata is a time for people to celebrate love, make wishes, and enjoy festivals with parades, fireworks, and delicious food. It is a joyful and colorful celebration that brings communities together to honor the love between Orihime and Hikoboshi.

  1. Who are the two lovers in the Tanabata celebration?
  2. Why were Orihime and Hikoboshi separated by the gods?
  3. What do people in Japan write their wishes on during Tanabata?
  4. How do people believe their wishes will come true during Tanabata?
  5. Why is Tanabata considered a joyful and colorful celebration?

Symbols and Traditions

Tanabata is a special celebration in Japan that is based on a beautiful love story between two stars, Orihime and Hikoboshi. In Shintoism, these stars are represented by the stars Vega and Altair. According to the legend, Orihime, the weaver princess, and Hikoboshi, the cow herder, were in love but were separated by the Milky Way. They were only allowed to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar.

During Tanabata, people write their wishes on colorful strips of paper called tanzaku and hang them on bamboo branches. These bamboo branches are decorated with paper ornaments and streamers, making them look very beautiful. This tradition is believed to help make the wishes come true.

In addition to making wishes, people also enjoy various festivities such as parades, dances, and fireworks. It is a joyful time when families come together to celebrate and have fun.

Tanabata is a special time to appreciate the love between Orihime and Hikoboshi, and to make wishes for happiness and good fortune. It is a colorful and festive celebration that brings people together to share their hopes and dreams.

  1. Who are the two stars represented by Orihime and Hikoboshi in the Tanabata celebration?
  2. What do people write their wishes on during Tanabata?
  3. What is the significance of hanging tanzaku on bamboo branches?
  4. Why is Tanabata considered a joyful time for families?
  5. How does the Tanabata celebration bring people together?

My Family and Tanabata

Hello, my name is Fiona and I am 8 years old. I want to tell you about a special celebration called Tanabata that my family celebrates. Tanabata is a tradition from Japan that is based on a beautiful love story between two stars, Orihime and Hikoboshi. In Shintoism, these stars are represented by the stars Vega and Altair. According to the legend, Orihime, the weaver princess, and Hikoboshi, the cow herder, were in love but were separated by the Milky Way. They were only allowed to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar.

  1. What is the significance of Tanabata in Japanese culture?
  2. Who are the main characters in the Tanabata legend?
  3. How do people celebrate Tanabata?
  4. Why do people write wishes on colorful strips of paper during Tanabata?
  5. What is the purpose of hanging wishes on bamboo branches during Tanabata?

Comparing Tanabata to another Festival

After learning all about Tanabata, is there another festival that you celebrate or that you know that is similar in any way? Make a project comparing the similarities and differences between this festival and Tanabataand think about what symbols and traditions that are part of it. Think about the story of the festival, if it has one, where it is mainly celebrated - whether it is one country or all over the world. You can produce the project using any medium whether it's paper or on a laptop.

Slideshow - Tanabata
A full set of teaching plans for Tanabatateaching.