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)は七月七日(しちがつなのか)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.

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

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.

TRADITIONS:

  • 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

REGIONAL VARIATION:
In some regions (notably Sendai), Tanabata is celebrated on August 7th following the old lunar calendar.

Related Words

Related: 天(あま)の川(がわ) (Milky Way)
general
Added 2026.1.16 18:31 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
05500/05633_tanabata