彦星(ひこぼし)

ひこぼし
noun
Hikoboshi; the Cowherd Star (Altair); the male figure in the Tanabata legend
culture
1. Hikoboshi; the Cowherd Star; Altair
The star Altair in the constellation Aquila, personified in the Tanabata legend as a cowherd who is separated from his beloved weaver princess (Orihime) by the Milky Way, and permitted to meet her only once a year on July 7th.
彦星(ひこぼし)と織姫(おりひめ)の物語(ものがたり)を知(し)っていますか。
Do you know the story of Hikoboshi and Orihime?
七夕(たなばた)の夜(よる)、彦星(ひこぼし)が天(あま)の川(がわ)を渡(わた)って織姫(おりひめ)に会(あ)いに行(い)く。
On the night of Tanabata, Hikoboshi crosses the Milky Way to meet Orihime.
夏(なつ)の夜空(よぞら)に彦星(ひこぼし)と織姫(おりひめ)を見(み)つけて、子供(こども)たちが喜(よろこ)んだ。
The children were delighted to find Hikoboshi and Orihime in the summer night sky.

The male protagonist of the 七夕(たなばた) (Tanabata) legend, identified with the star Altair (牽牛星(けんぎゅうせい) in astronomy). In the legend, 彦星(ひこぼし) is a 牛飼(うしか)い (cowherd) who falls in love with 織姫(おりひめ) (the Weaver Princess, identified with the star Vega). After they neglect their duties, the gods separate them on either side of the 天(あま)の川(がわ) (Milky Way), allowing them to meet only once a year.

Alternate names

  • 牽牛(けんぎゅう): classical/literary name
  • 牽牛星(けんぎゅうせい): the astronomical name (Altair)

Common collocations

Cultural note

The Tanabata festival on July 7th (or August 7th in some regions) celebrates this legend. People write wishes on 短冊(たんざく) (paper strips) and hang them on bamboo branches, hoping that 彦星(ひこぼし) and 織姫(おりひめ) can meet across the Milky Way.

Related Words

Compare: 織姫(おりひめ) (Orihime)
general
Added 2026.4.29 20:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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