Tanabata 2021
Kengyu and Shokujo
Tanabata is the Japanese Star Festival, remembering the story of the celestial Weaver Princess Shokujo (Vega) who fell in love with the Cowherd Kengyu (Altair). They were so happy together that they forgot to perform their tasks. The gods became angry because they had no new clothes and the herds were untended. The lovers were sent up to the stars, and separated forever by the milky way. The princess cried so hard they changed their minds a little bit, and they are allowed to visit each other once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month.
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In Japan Tanabata is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month, and people write wishes onto paper, and tie them onto bamboo. When the breeze blows, the wishes are wafted up to heaven – perhaps to the happy couple, who would be sympathetic to hopes and dreams.
Click here for more information about this festival. There are lots of reasons to celebrate the seventh day of the seventh month, – let’s all send good wishes out into the world!
Happy Tanabata!
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I learn so much from your blog. Thank you
We like what we have learned about this celebration…it seems hopeful!
Your description and photo make this tale come alive. Thank you.
You are welcome – the human had fun, and the Hittys love to wear their kimono.
How wonderful- thank you! And I agree, now more than ever, we need to send all the good wishes that we can!
Hopefulness is good, and we like to try and remember to send it and other good wishes out into the world. It takes practice!
fascinating…love how you illustrated the story!
We thought it was fascinating when we first heard of this festival – it was right up the Quimper Hitty Alley!
Lovely!
Thank you so much!