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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.
彦星と織姫の物語を知っていますか。
Do you know the story of Hikoboshi and Orihime?
七夕の夜、彦星が天の川を渡って織姫に会いに行く。
On the night of Tanabata, Hikoboshi crosses the Milky Way to meet Orihime.
夏の夜空に彦星と織姫を見つけて、子供たちが喜んだ。
The children were delighted to find Hikoboshi and Orihime in the summer night sky.
The male protagonist of the 七夕 (Tanabata) legend, identified with the star Altair (牽牛星 in astronomy). In the legend, 彦星 is a 牛飼い (cowherd) who falls in love with 織姫 (the Weaver Princess, identified with the star Vega). After they neglect their duties, the gods separate them on either side of the 天の川 (Milky Way), allowing them to meet only once a year.
ALTERNATE NAMES:
- 牽牛: classical/literary name
- 牽牛星: the astronomical name (Altair)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 彦星と織姫: Hikoboshi and Orihime (always paired)
- 彦星の伝説: the legend of Hikoboshi
CULTURAL NOTE:
The Tanabata festival on July 7th (or August 7th in some regions) celebrates this legend. People write wishes on 短冊 (paper strips) and hang them on bamboo branches, hoping that 彦星 and 織姫 can meet across the Milky Way.