Tanabata 2024
Astilbe
Constance loaned Hitty Freddie a Yukata and they went for a walk to the Esquimalt Gorge Park,
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Tanabata
…to celebrate Tanabata.
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little shrine
Carrying their wishes on blue papers, they went past the shrine…
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Water
…and crossed a bridge…
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Lotus
…stopping to view the Lotus flower…
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Bamboo Grove
…until they arrived at the bamboo grove.
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Wishes
They found a good spot…
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chosen
…to tie their wishes in the bamboo…
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Tea
…and then they shared a Tanabata tea and some Nori Maki crackers.
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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.
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In Japan Tanabata is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month – people write wishes onto slips of 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.
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We all wish you a Happy Tanabata…may your wishes be wafted to the heavens, where perhaps a sympathetic ear may be listening!
Click here for more information about this festival.
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Quimper Hittys 
I wish a year of busy contentment for all the Hittys.
Busy contentment sounds like a good thing! I will wish it too! Our wishes were about being able to listen to the beautiful sounds of water, and being appreciative of good friends ❤
How lovely that you have a Japanese style garden near enough to visit for this festival. I made a note of it in my phone diary and intended to celebrate but accidentally put it as starting late evening with no reminder ahead of it so by the time I saw the note it was too late :(. I have corrected both things so maybe next year….
We try to remember to celebrate – it is one of the textile-oriented celebrations we love! And we love the idea of sending wishes out into the universe…
I think it is the idea of sending wishes that appeals to me so much. And if I have to write them down I have to really think what it is I wish for.
I’m struck by your continual celebrations in life….and today, you got to share that with some good friends, wooden and human. I know you’ll enjoy this time together.
It’s been a lovely visit so far and we’ve only just started! The Quimper Hittys so rarely get Hitty visitors from afar, it is a real treat!
the perfect place to celebrate. The girls look lovely in their kimono. Best wishes for an inspiring, delightful Hitty year for both humans and Hittys.
Thanks so much Onesmallstitch, I know you love this festival too – and I loved your cloth origami cranes!
what a lovely way to celebrate this event. The girls look very sophisticated in their dress. I am sure they enjoyed the day. what a nice outing for your visiting HItty.
We like the excuse to wear the summer Kimono – Tanabata festival is such a lovely tradition!
Lovely kimonos!
Thanks! The Hittys like their summer Kimono especially as it has been very hot weather for us the last couple of weeks!