During this time, if you happen to pass by the store, you might notice a special spot set up for writing messages on strips of paper, which are then hung up to decorate trees. Have you ever heard of this activity before? Wondering what you should write? Today, we introduce you to another traditional Japanese summer festival: the Tanabata festival.

Tanabata-no-sekku, also known as the Star Festival, used to be celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, but now it's typically on July 7th or later across Japan. This festival traces back to ancient Chinese stories about two lovers, Orihime (Vega, the Weaver) and Hikoboshi (Altair, the Cowherd), who can only meet once a year by crossing the Milky Way. It became super popular during the Edo period as a festival for everyone to enjoy. People write their wishes on long, colorful strips of paper called Tanzaku and hang them from bamboo branches.

During Tanabata, you'll find many places in Japan decked out with unique decorations like bamboo trees covered in wishing papers, paper lanterns, and other pretty paper ornaments. One of the coolest traditions is writing your wishes on rectangular Tanzaku paper and tying them onto bamboo.

Tanzaku papers come in different colors, and each color originally stood for something special:

Blue: Growth and progress

Red: Thanks and good wishes for parents

Yellow: Relationships

Pink: Love

White: Determination to succeed

Purple: Learning and examination

Nowadays, there are even more colors and meanings. According to Japanese belief, if you write your wish on a Tanzaku and hang it on a bamboo tree, your wish might just come true.

If you spot a place with a Tanzaku-writing corner, join in and write down your hopes. Here's hoping everyone's wishes get granted just as they wish!

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Written by: Ritt J. Jirasukprasert

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