Mid-Term Long Form Assignment - July 7, 2025

'Tanabata', also known as star festival in English, is held every year on 7th of July. This festival originated from China which is also known as Qixi in Chinese. This festivals marks the meet up of two stars called Altair and Vega, after being separated by the milky way for the rest of the year. This event arrived to Japan in the 6th century carrying with it a story of two lovers, Princess Orihime, representing the star Vega and a cow herder named Hikoboshi, representing Altair. In between the two there is a river which represents the Milky Way.

Orihime works beside the river, weaving away endlessly, losing hope on finding her one true love. So the father, which was the God of All Heavens set her up on a date to meet Hikoboshi across the river. They both fell in love at first sight, leading to marriage and them forgetting the world around them, unfortunately also leaving their responsibilities left unfinished. This angered the father and wanted to separate the two, but to avoid being extremely cruel to his beloved daughter, he allowed them to only meet up once every year, on the 7th day of the 7th month.

Japan celebrates Tanabata on the 7th July every year marking the beginning of summer. They have festivals, play games, eat summer food, and most importantly write their wish on a piece of paper called  Tanazku and hang them on a bamboo tree. By the end of the night they would float the bamboo tree down a river to have all the written wish come true. 

For me this celebration was first introduced to me when I was in my Japanese Language School, and found it interesting to put your wishes in a tree. But nonetheless I do enjoy seeing the colourful Tanzaku decorating the bamboo tree every year, having most people wishing for a partner or just to make more money. I unfortunately do not celebrate this event since it goes against my religion and beliefs. So for my plan tonight will be like any other night, is to spend some time with my boyfriend and cook dinner with my roommate. Or in other words, a comforting night.