七 夕(たなばた)

たなばた

noun

Tanabata; Star Festival

1. Tanabata; Star Festival

A Japanese festival held on July 7th celebrating the annual meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi across the Milky Way.

七夕(たなばた)に願(ねが)い事(ごと)を書(か)いた。

I wrote a wish for Tanabata.

七夕(たなばた)は七月(しちがつ)七日(なのか)に行(おこな)われる。

Tanabata is celebrated on July 7th.

子(こ)どもたちが七夕(たなばた)の飾(かざ)りを作(つく)った。

The children made Tanabata decorations.

Etymology

七夕(たなばた) originates from the Chinese Qixi Festival, combined with Japanese legends. The name literally means 'seventh evening.'

CULTURAL NOTE (the legend):
The weaver princess 織姫(おりひめ) (represented by Vega) and the cowherd 彦星(ひこぼし) (represented by Altair) are lovers separated by the 天(あま)の川(がわ) (Milky Way). They are allowed to meet only once a year on this night.

CULTURAL NOTE (customs):

Writing wishes on 短冊(たんざく) (colored paper strips)
Hanging decorations on bamboo branches (笹(ささ))
Making 七夕飾(たなばたかざ)り (Tanabata decorations)

Common expressions

七夕祭(たなばたまつ)り: Tanabata festival
七夕飾(たなばたかざ)り: Tanabata decorations
七夕(たなばた)の夜(よる): the night of Tanabata

Cultural note

Some regions hold Tanabata a month late: the Sendai Tanabata festival runs August 6–8.

Related Words

Related: 天(あま)の川(がわ) (Milky Way)

Related: 短冊(たんざく) (wish strip)

Related: 笹(ささ) (bamboo branch)

Related: 文月(ふづき) (July (traditional calendar name))

Compare: 織姫(おりひめ) (Orihime)

general

Added 2026.1.16 18:31 · Revised 2026.10.11 4:25

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