All about Tanabata
Tanabata is a Japanese term that means “Evening of the seventh“. It is also known as “Star Festival” ( 星祭りHoshi Matsuri ).
This festival was originated in China and also celebrated in other Asian countries. It has been considered as one of the biggest seasonal festivals in Japan or gosekku .
Japanese people usually celebrate it on July 7th every year. However, In some parts of Japan like in Sendai (Tohoku Region), Tanabata is held every August 6 – 8.
Event in Cebu
Finally, the Tanabata Festival was held in Cebu last July 7.
A group of Japanese and Filipinos worked together to organize the event.
Where: blu Cat Pizzeria & Restobar (Sacris Rd., Mandaue Cebu)
Time: 5 pm – 8 pm
Ticket and Registration : FREE
Yes, the event is FREE but there are tickets to join some activities and they are very cheap. It costs from 5 pesos-150 pesos only !
The Legend of Tanabata Tsume
( Tale of Celestial maiden )
What makes this event significant to Japan? Well, legend has it.
Long before the Nara Period ( AD 710-794 ) in Japan, a love story from the heavens was told between the two lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi ( represented by the stars Vega & Altair ).
Orihime is a weaving princess, daughter of Tentei (God of the Skies). She works hard and weaves “clouds” everyday to decorate the skies. Hikoboshi, on the other hand , is a hard-working cow herder who takes care of cows that makes up the heavens.
When these two met, they soon fell in love but their affair resulted to neglecting their heavenly duties. Orihime’s father (God of the Skies) didn’t like it and so he separated them but Orihime pleaded to his father for an agreement that she will work hard if he lets him see Hikoboshi again at least once a year.
From that day on, Orihime and Hikoboshi was allowed to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month once a year in the river of Milky Way.
Here’s a very short clip I took from the crowded booth.
Tanabata Activity
In Tanabata, it’s not only about commemorating the legend but also people get to enjoy various fun activities for summer season in Japan.
Puyo Puyo Sukui
Puyo Puyo Sukui or ぷよぷよすくい is a mini game where you can scoop jelly-like rubber balls. You can scoop and collect as much as you can with these cute colorful balls.
Ticket : 5 pesos only
Yo-yo Tsuri
Yo-yo Tsuri or ヨーヨーつり is a water-filled ballon attached with a tied string. These cute sized balloons varies from different painting designs and colors.
It is a game played by fishing out the balloon with the string attached using a hook. Once you get the balloon out of the water, the cute thing is yours. You’ll get obsessed playing balloon yo-yo afterwards and the ticket costs 5 pesos only. Wow!
Nagashi Somen
Nagashi Somen ( 流しそうめん ) literally means “washing away somen”, a type of eating noodles where the somen is carried away by the rapid flow of water on a wide stick of bamboo.
This is the famous Tanabata activity where participants line up holding their chopsticks, catching somen and dipping it to their bowl of dashi ( soup stock ).
Rent Yukata
Yes! In Tanabata festival, people can wear or rent Yukata ( 浴衣 ) also called “Summer Kimono“.
The ticket costs a 150 pesos. You can choose from a variety of designs and colors. It also includes a photoshoot done in their mini studio.
My background is filled with colorful “Paper Cranes” ( 折り鶴 ) and are said to be the most classic of all Japanese origami. It symbolizes long and happy life.
According to Japanese belief, if one folded a thousand origami cranes, one’s wish will come true.
Tanabata at Night
Tree of Hope and Wishes
Bamboo Tree, also called “Wish Tree” has always been a part of Tanabata Festival.
This tree is decorated with orizuru (folded cranes), kinchaku (bags of prosperity) and tanzaku (strips of colored paper).
If you want to make a wish, write it on a tanzaku and hang them on a bamboo tree.
Since Tanabata was held a day before my Birthday ( July 8 ), I decided to make my birthday wish too and hang it on the bamboo tree. I wanna go to Japan soon!
Seranade Night
A couple of Japanese serenaded us with their acoustic English songs.
Tanabata Roleplay
And of course, to commemorate the Festival, a Tanabata Roleplay was held.
The famous love story between a pair of star-crossed lovers “Orihime” & “Hikoboshi”,
( The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl ).
Their love story never ends as they meet on the seventh day of the seventh month once a year.
I am happy that I was able to meet my Japanese friends and Filipino friends at the festival. We had fun and I hope this will happen again next year.
For anyone who wants to know more about Japanese Culture, I would recommend joining this special event that highlights their history and tradition.
We love TANABATA Festival in Cebu !