Happy Tanabata Day From Artsy Sister
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My brother last night asked me for some scratch paper. I did not know what it was for. We had run out of print paper, like eight months ago. We realized it till recently because we rarely use the printer. In any case, he spent the night making little Oragami cranes.
This morning I went outside and saw some odd things hanging on the tree. It turns out to have been cranes with wishes. They are part of a Japanese holiday called Tanabata. My brother has a girlfriend who is into Japanese stuff. The story appeals to them because they feel a bit like Orihime and her lover Hikoboshi.
According to Chinese folklore, Orihime was sad because she had no lover. So her father got her, Hikoboshi. The two liked each other so much that they forgot about their celestial jobs. Orihime’s father then separated the pair, since the girl got sad, he decided to let the kids meet once a year, if they did their job well.
If it rains, then they did not work hard enough in their celestial tasks. Due to the nature of the holiday, my brother celebrates it with his girlfriend. Brother is a little bit busy today, so this is why I am telling you about the holiday. First, let us start with a little history lesson.
As with many Japanese holidays, Tanabata originated in China. It was introduced in Japan by Empress Koken in 755. The festival there is called Kikkoden. In China, it was a plead for skills. In Japan, it became a type of Valentines day. The holiday started gaining popularity among the commoners in the Edo period. It was mixed with other Obon traditions.
At the time, it was still skill based. Over the years, the wishes became more broad. These days, the holiday is celebrated on the 7th of the 7th. It is usually when the stars Vega and Altair are real close to one another in the sky. They are both separated by the Milky Way. As with much folklore, it was used to explain why the heavens looked the way it did.
When writing one’s wishes, it is tradition in Japan to write it in Haiku or in some other poetry format. The wishes are suspended on bamboo sticks or in a tree for those who lack bamboo. In Japan, things are quite colorful. All the malls and streets get decorated with paper.
Since things were in such short notice, brother had to make due with what he had in the house. I don’t have colorful paper, just writing and drawing paper. It was fun to be in on the fun. Anyhow, if you are separated from your loved one, know that there is a Japanese holiday just for you.
You can try the wish thing. If it rains, it means that you won’t see the person this year. If it does not, then the Chinese Sky Emperor took pity on you, and he is going to make a bridge of swans for you to see your lover. I think this is about it as far as this holiday is concerned. I hope you like the nice photos my brother took of his holiday craft project.
Esmeralda Cruz
Awesome!
Esmeralda Cruz
Awesome!
Esmeralda Cruz
Awesome!