七夕 (Star Festival) By Tara Smith and Julia Panovski.

Depending on what area of Japan you live in the date on Tanabata varies. It is mostly celebrated on July the 7 th but can also be held around August the 7 th. This is because the original date was based on the Lunisolar calendar which is differerent to the Gregorian calendar. Most people still celebrate the star festival on its traditional date which is on July, while others celebrate it a month later.

The story of Tanabata originated more than 2,000 years ago. There were once two lovers-a princess called Orihime who wove clothes and a prince named Hikoboshi who was a cow hearder. They only cared about each other and forgot about everything else. The king then disapproved of them being together and placed them on opposite sides of the milky way. They were then only allowed to meet once a year on the seventh of July. People now celebrate Tanabata as the star festival.

Before the day of the festival people decorate streets and shops with streamers. Usually people celebrate the star festival by writing wishes on small pieces of paper them putting them of bamboo. The bamboo is then either set afloat on a river or burned. This festival is celebrated at night when the stars come out.

In some festivals there are parades and floats through the streets. There is also a Tanabata song: Bamboo-grass leaves flowing in the wind Swinging by the edge of the eaves Stars are shining Like fine gold and silver sand

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By Tara and Julia.