Tanabata (七夕), also known as 'Hoshi-matsuri' (星祭り the 'Star Festival'), celebrates the reunion of Orihime and Hikoboshi on the 7th day of the 7th month.
The celebration evolved from 1 of the 'Go-sekku' (五節句), 5 events held on auspicious days throughout the year.
Imported by the imperial court from China, these festivals now coincide with the 1st January, 3rd March, 5th May, 7th July and 9th September.
#Kyoto #Japan #七夕 #京都 #Tanbata #starfestival #kemari #蹴鞠 #星祭り
Orihime (織姫), represented by the star Vega, & her lover Hikoboshi (彦星), the star Altair, can meet only once a year.
On the 7th day of the 7th month, if the weather is fine, magpies form a bridge across the Milky Way.
Orihime was the daughter of the 'Sky King' (天帝 'Tentei'). Each day she wove beautiful cloth beside the Ama-no-gawa (天の川), but her duties kept her from finding a partner.
Tentei thus arranged for her to meet with Hikoboshi, a cowherd who worked on the opposite riverbank.
#Tanabata
The pair fell in love, and soon abandoned their duties: cloth went unmade and the cows caused havoc.
In anger Tentei separated them and destroyed any means of crossing the Heavenly River.
But his daughter's sadness forced a compromise...a bridge would appear once a year.
Rain on Tanabata is known as 'the tears of Orihime and Hikoboshi', because bad weather will prevent the flock of magpies from forming a bridge.
If the lovers cannot meet on this day then they must wait another year!
#Japan
Camellia Tea Ceremony