Japan
Tanabata Festival
Tanabata is known as the Star Festival or the Festival of the Star-Crossed Lovers. First celebrated in 755.
The legend has it that Princess Shokujo, and her father, the Celestial Emperor Tentei lived on the east bank of the Heavenly River also known as the Milky Way. The princess had to weave cloth for the many gods in her father’s mansion. She had worked at her assigned task for many years. When she reached maturity, her father arranged for her to marry with herdsman named Kengyu the “Ox Puller” who ruled west of the river.
Both Shokujo and Kengyu fell in love and were married. However, their honeymoon lasted so long that they both neglected to perform their duties. Kengyu’s oxen became thin and weak. The gods were angry because Shokujo was not weaving cloth for them. Emperor Tentei decided to punish the young couple and separated them from each other by the river, only allowing them to meet once a year. The river dividing their kingdoms was very deep and swift. There was no bridge so the couple relied on magpies to flock together on this night to form a path so Shokujo could walk over to meet her husband. Today, the legend says that Shokujo is Vega, the Princess Star, and Kengyu is Altair, the Prince Star. One time each year these two stars cross paths, hence, they’ve become known as the star-crossed lovers.
The belief that Vega and Altair cross paths only once a year is very appealing to young Japanese girls, they eagerly pray during Tanabata for the success of their own love and also pray that the weather will be fair. If it rains the Milky Way will become flooded and the two stars will not be able to meet for another year. Therefore, rain on the evening of Tanabata is considered bad luck for couples.
Even though Tanabata is celebrated on the mainland, Okinawans celebrate somewhat differently. On the mainland, the festival includes an evening ceremony to float candles down streams and rivers. The flames represent the stars and the water represents the Heavenly River that separates them.
One of the most colorful displays celebrating this festival can be found at the Ichibangai Mall, also known as Sunset Mall on Gate 2 or Airport Street in Okinawa City near Kadena Air Base. The display usually lasts several days. The mall vendors sell souvenirs as well as some very tasty treats. Don’t be afraid to try them!
Tanabata Festival is celebrated on the seventh night of the seventh moon, or July 7th on Okinawa and the Japanese mainland.