Tanabata: the “festival of the stars”!

Tanabata, also known as the “Star Festival”, is a Japanese celebration held on the seventh day of the seventh month. According to Japanese folklore, this is the only day of the year when the two stars, Altair and Vega, can meet.

At this time of year, tradition dictates that Tanabata wishes (called tanzaku) are written on strips of colored paper and hung on Tanabata trees made of bamboo branches. People also decorate their homes and public spaces.

Tanabata is one of Japan's five traditional festivals, known as “ gosekku ”, and is a very interesting time to visit the country. However, the dates of Tanabata vary from region to region.

According to the ancient lunar calendar, the seventh month is August, not July. In places like Sendai, the festival is therefore celebrated on August 7, although the official date is July 7.

What is the Tanabata festival?

Huge Tanabata festivals are held all over Japan. The most famous is in Sendai, an easily accessible destination for visitors to Tokyo, only about two and a half hours from the capital. Tokyo's Tanabata festival is equally impressive!

The style of festivals varies from place to place, but most feature Tanabata decoration contests, parades and a whole host of festive activities. The atmosphere is fantastic and the streets are lined with food stalls!

Tanabata wishes are made on the first day of the festival. The following day, decorated Tanabata trees are floated down a river, into the ocean or even burned as offerings.

The tradition dates back to the early 17th century, although its popularity waned after the Meiji Restoration (1868) and almost disappeared during the economic depression that followed the First World War.

The history of Tanabata

The Tanabata tradition is based on the romantic story of the star-crossed lovers Vega and Altair. They can only meet once a year, and only if the skies are clear.

The story has its origins in the Chinese legend Qixi, imported to Japan in the 8th century. The story is about two lovers: Princess Orihime, a beautiful seamstress, and Hikoboshi, a cow herder. They lived on opposite sides of the celestial river (represented by the Milky Way).

Orihime's father (God of the heavens) became angry that both had abandoned their duties because of their devotion to each other, and forbade them to see each other. However, Orihime begged him and, as a concession, he allowed them to meet once a year.

Tanabata festival food

Japanese cuisine is world-renowned, and the food at the Tanabata festival will not disappoint. Here are some of the most classic dishes you'll find at almost any Japanese festival:

• Takoyaki: fried dough balls containing small pieces of octopus. This dish is so popular in Japan that there are fast-food chains devoted entirely to it.
  
• Yakisoba: Yakisoba is fried noodles mixed with pork and cabbage. It is topped with yakisoba sauce and mayonnaise. You can find an instant version on YattaJapan!
  
• Okonomiyaki: this is a kind of savory pancake made with batter and a variety of different ingredients. The name translates as “all-you-can-eat toasted” because of the almost infinite number of variations! The Osaka and Hiroshima variants are the most famous!
  
• Yakitori: chicken grilled on a skewer, served with spring onions and yakitori sauce. A real delicacy!
  

If you have the chance to visit Japan in summer, don't miss the festivals, especially Tanabata!

See you soon on YattaJapan!

Photo credit: Jane Dang