When I was little, my mother would always remind me that you knew it was her and my father’s wedding anniversary when the tiger lilies would be in bloom. They only bloomed in one place in my home town, along the train tracks. They soon became my favourite flower because of the vibrant colour with the gorgeous black markings, and the emotional ties to them. When I moved to Japan, I found an even better way to remember my parents wedding anniversary, July 7th. In Korea, it’s called Chilseok. In Japan, it’s Tanabata. And in China, it’s Qixi. And no matter what Asian country I’m in, it is my most favourite holiday in the entire calendar. The story changes a little depending on which country you’re in, but here is the Japanese version of the legend.
The Story of Tanabata
A long time ago, Tenkou, the god of the skies, had a daughter named Orihime. All she did was weave cloth for the other gods on her weaving machine, the takahata.
Tenkou worried, because all Orihime ever did was weave. So, Tenkou arranged for Orihime to meet Hikoboshi, a cow-tender on the other side of the Amanogawa (the Milky Way). When Orihime and Hikoboshi met, it was love at first sight. All they wanted was to be with each other, and they ignored their previous responsibilities. Hikoboshi’s cows became sick, and the gods’ clothing became worn and in need of repair.
Tenkou was furious. He brought Orihime back to the other side of the Amanogawa, and made it so the two couldn’t see each other any more. Both were miserable, so Tenkou made one promise. If they worked hard through the year, they could meet on July 7th. Ever since, both Orihime and Hikoboshi worked hard so they could be together on July 7th.
July 7th is almost always a half moon in the lunar calendar. It’s believed that Orihime and Hikoboshi use this as a boat to cross the Milky Way to be with each other.
I love this story for so many reasons. Asia goes through a terrible rainy season in May and June, so the story of the princess and the cow herder is a beautiful way to explain it. In some versions of the legend, Orihime and Hikoboshi don’t reunite because they cannot cross the Milky Way. Orihime despairs at the thought of not seeing her beloved, so a flock of magpies form a bridge so she can cross the river. People pray for good weather on Tanabata, because if it rains, the magpies won’t be able to help Orihime. The legend with the magpies also explains why they begin to lose their feathers in the summer. Orihime crossing the magpie bridge made their feathers fall out. After the 7th, rainy season is often over in most Asian countries. When the rains are over, it means the two lovers have been able to meet, and the summer can begin.
Tanabata Traditions
The way Tanabata is celebrated in Japan is very beautiful. You will often see bamboo branches on display with pieces of paper called tanzaku, colourful strips of paper with wishes written on them. These pieces of paper are usually one of five colours, depending on your wish:
- Blue or Green: Self improvement or personal growth
- Red: Gratitude, as well as respect for parents and ancestors
- Yellow: Friendship and relationships
- White: Duty, Responsibility, and keeping promises
- Black or Purple: Academic excellence and success
The tanzaku are ties to bamboo stalks because it grows tall, straight, quickly, and reaches towards the heavens.
Tanabata is also celebrated by creating pieces of origami, especially orizuru (paper cranes) for family health and longevity, toami (paper nets) for a prosperous catch and harvest, and kuzokago (paper trash bins) to represent cleanliness and an organized household.
Visiting most Asian countries in the summer can be intimidating, since the heat and the humidity is beyond what most people have ever experienced before. Some of the most distinctive cultural experiences happen during the summer though. If you can endure the humidity, you should consider visiting Japan, South Korea, or anywhere else in Asia for a truly unforgettable trip.
If you want a customized Japan or South Korea vacation tailored to your unique interests, let Have Fandom Will Travel design a truly memorable, once-in-a-lifetime journey for you. To learn more about either country, check out the posts on the site for both Japan and South Korea, or contact me directly to find how how I can help. You can also fill out the contact form below.
