Tanabata is the ‘Star Festival’

The Festival traces its origins back to the legend of the Cowherd Star (Altair) and weaver star (Vega).  Lovers separated by the Milky Way are allowed to meet just once a year – on the seventh dayof the seventh month.

Tanabata is celebrated in Japan where people use decorations of coloured paper and origami hung from bamboo branches and trees.

Children and adults write their wishes on narrow strips of coloured paper and hang themalon with other paper ornaments on bamboo branches placed in their backyards or entrances of their homes.  They then pray that their wishes will come true.

The children with the help of our japanese families made their own Tanabata decorations.