Tanabata Festival

Tanabata or Star Festival is a traditional tradition which is celebrated on July 7 every year in Japan. In this celebration, usually Japanese people will write their wishes on colored paper and then it will be attached to a bamboo tree which is called "Sasa".

The origin of Tanabata begins with the separation of Orihime, a star princess who is avid weaver, and Hikoboshi, a shepherd. After they met, they never again carried out their respective duties and angered the Heaven God. They finally separated.

Orihime and Hikoboshi are separated by a river called Amanogawa and can only meet on July 7 each year. Because they can only meet once per year, the two of them pray on July 6 that it won't rain tomorrow. If it rains, of course, the Amanogawa River will overflow and they will not be able to meet.

The people wrote the prayers on colorful paper and put them on a bamboo tree. They believed that the bamboo tree would grow up into the sky so that their prayers would be read by the God of Heaven.

 

Source : https://thegate12.com/article/125