Cultures

July 7, What Do You Do in Your Country?

In Asian countries, it is apparently common to hold some kind of festival on July 7. In Japan, this day is called “Tanabata”. Derived from Chinese mythology, it is known as a day when a weaver girl and a cowherd boy are allowed to meet once a year by the gods.

On this day in Japan, people write their wishes on long, thin pieces of paper and decorate them on bamboo leaves. The festival began when people in the past wished for “some kind of improvement in skill” on July 7 because a girl in the myth was good at weaving.

Bamboos are set up in shopping malls and commercial facilities. Anyone can freely write their wishes on a piece of paper and hang it on the bamboo.

On the paper, almost all children and adults put down their hopes for “health” and “peace”. Surprisingly few people seem to write, “I want to have enormous wealth!” People’s personal wishes include “to pass an exam” and “to be active in sports.”

What do you do on July 7 in your country?

Chinowa Kuguri: The Ritual to Pray for the Remaining Half Year to Be SafePrev

Finally, This Friday, Hayao Miyazaki’s Latest Film, “How Do You Live?”Next

Related post

  1. Cultures

    Demons out! Fortune in! 

    In Japan, this is the time when the cold of winter reaches its peak and turns into spring.  That day is called Setsubun. Since it was believed that ev…

  2. Illustration of a woman holding a higanbana in her mouth as a cigarette. Never imitate her!

    Cultures

    Red spider lily (Higanbana) are in their peak season

    Now that summer has ended and autumn has arrived, Higanbana (red spider lily/cluster amaryllis) is at its peak. They produce bright red flowers that…

  3. Cultures

    Shichi-Go-San

    Shichi-Go-San is an annual Japanese festival to celebrate the growth of children. It is celebrated annually on November 15 for children ages 3, 5, and…

  4. Cultures

    Toji: the winter solstice

    The year is divided into 24 periods in Japan. This culture originated in China. Each period lasts almost two weeks, and each has its own name. Today, …

  5. Cultures

    Labor Thanksgiving Day

    Today is Labor Thanksgiving Day, a national holiday in Japan. It is the last of 16 holidays in a year. This day is designated as "a day to hold labor …

  6. Cultures

    Last day of the year. What will you do today?

    Only one more day left in this year! What are you doing in the last day?In Japan, people prepared to welcome a Deity into their homes from around De…

PAGE TOP