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Karakura News | A Reflection on Tanabata

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A REFLECTION ON TANABATA.gif



Greetings, citizens of Karakura.

Just a few days ago, Japan celebrated the yearly Tanabata Festival. To some the holiday may seem like just another festival, however there is a much greater meaning. As often taught in schools, Tanabata originated from the Chinese Qixi Festival. What does this mean, you may ask? Below will be an elaboration on what the celebration truly is about, and what impact it may hold even in current day.




Tanabata, also referred to as the ‘star festival’, is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month. This is due to the old Chinese legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi. Long ago, there was a kingdom in the sky, neighboring the Milky Way. Within this kingdom lived Princess Orihime, who weaved day and night to make clothing for all of the gods. One day, her father, the king, set her to meet a young herdman, Hikoboshi. They fell in love, and were arranged to be wed. However, the couple became so entranced with one another, that both neglected their respective duties. The beautiful clothing that the gods would wear was no longer produced, and Hikoboshi’s cows became sick. This led to the king’s disapproval of their wedlock, and opted for separating them in hopes of them becoming productive once more. Hikoboshi was sent to the other side of the Milky Way, and the lovers were then on separated. The princess was so overcome by grief due to the loss of her beloved that she wept day and night, starting Japan’s rainy season with her tears. Disheartened by his daughter’s sadness, the king opted to then on allow for them to meet for one day a year: the seventh day of the seventh month. It is said they are memorialized in the sky by the stars Altair and Vega.

In current times, Tanabata is seen as a romantic celebration that is cherished by couples all over Japan. It is common for wishes to be written on tanzaku and hung on bamboo branches, in hopes of them being granted.

I hope you have learned something from this reflection on the recently-passed holiday, and that every time you see the stars in the sky, you think of the romantic tale.

Yakeru Takahashi | 07/09
 

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