What is the origin of Tanabata, a summer tradition? The meaning behind the decoration of bamboo branches
Tanabata, the Star Festival, is a traditional Japanese event in which people write their wishes on strips of paper and decorate bamboo leaves with them. Tanabata is now a traditional Japanese event, but did you know that it was originally introduced from China?
In this article, we will explain the origin and history of Tanabata, as well as the meaning of Tanzaku and bamboo decorations. We will also introduce the charm of Tanabata, touching on food culture and regional customs related to Tanabata.
We have also prepared a trivia quiz related to Tanabata, so please try it out!
What is Tanabata?
Tanabata is a traditional event that has been held in Japan since ancient times, and is celebrated on July 7 every year. The custom of hanging strips of paper and ornaments with wishes on them on bamboo leaves is a popular summer tradition.
Many of you may have written your wishes on tanzaku strips of paper at school events or other events when you were children.
It is said that the event was originally held in China and was introduced to Japan, where it gradually took root.
Origin and History of Tanabata
The origin of Tanabata is related to the Chinese custom of "Kikkouden. Kikkouden is a custom of praying to the Weaver Star on the night of July 7 for improvement in weaving, sewing, and other skills. Needles and other objects are displayed on an altar in the garden, and prayers are offered to the star.
After the Kikkouden was introduced to Japan in the Nara period (710-794), Tanabata became a courtly event. At that time, people did not have the custom of hanging strips of paper on bamboo branches, but instead wrote poems on the leaves of the Kaji tree, which was considered a sacred tree, to wish for improvement in calligraphy.
Since the Edo period (1603-1867), Tanabata was regarded as one of the "five festivals" and spread throughout the country as a familiar event among the common people. The five festivals are festive days with odd numbers that were introduced from China. Around this time, the custom changed to decorating each house with bamboo branches hung with strips of paper on which wishes were written and kirigami work.
In the modern Tanabata festival, any wish is considered acceptable, but it is said to be good to wish for improvement in one's studies, since Tanabata was originally a custom to wish for improvement in weaving, sewing, calligraphy, and other artistic pursuits.
Legend of Tanabata "Orihime and Hikoboshi
The Tanabata legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi is well known in Japan, but this too is a legend that originated not in Japan but in China.
Shokujo, the daughter of the "emperor," the most powerful god in the sky, was in charge of weaving cloth for the gods' kimonos, and weaved daily by the banks of the Milky Way.
When the emperor sees the girl who works all the time and has no lover, he brings the weaver girl together with "Kengyu," an earnest young man who has a cow on the other side of the Milky Way.
They eventually married and lived happily ever after, but after their marriage, they began to spend their days playing and neglecting their work. This angered the Emperor of Heaven, who separated them on both banks of the Milky Way.
However, the two were so grief-stricken that they lived in tears and could not get any work done. Troubled, the Emperor of Heaven allowed them to cross the Milky Way, promising to let them meet only once a year on the night of July 7, if they would work diligently.
In Japan, the weaver is called "Orihime" and the checker is called "Hikoboshi.
Back to Table of ContentsTanzaku and Bamboo Grass Decorations
During Tanabata, people hang decorations made of tanzaku strips and origami paper on bamboo branches. Each bamboo branch decoration has its own wish and meaning.
five-colored strip of paper with a red and white striped pattern
Basically, there are five colors for the tanzaku, and they are blue (green), red, yellow, white, and black (purple) based on the Chinese theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements. The theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements is based on the idea that everything in nature can be explained in terms of the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. According to the Yin-Yang Five Elements Theory, blue (green) represents wood, red represents fire, yellow represents earth, white represents gold, and black (purple) represents water.
Each color of tanzaku has its own meaning, and it is said that if you write your wish on a tanzaku of the appropriate color, your wish will be more likely to come true.
Blue (green): Build up virtue and enhance human power
Red: gratitude to parents and ancestors
Yellow: Trust and care for others
White: heart to keep duty and rules.
Black (purple): Improvement of academic performance
In modern Japan, people still make wishes on tanzaku, but they may be less conscious of even the color of the tanzaku.
What is the meaning behind the decoration of bamboo branches?
There are several types of origami decorations, and the seven decorations, including tanzaku, are called "shichitsuzukuri. Let's take a look at the meanings of the six decorations other than tanzaku introduced in the previous chapter.
pennant
This decoration represents the threads that Orihime weaves and wishes for improvement in weaving and sewing.
wastepaper basket
It is meant to foster a spirit of cleanliness, thrift, and tidiness.
cast net
It represents a fishing net to catch fish, and is hung in the hope of a big catch.
folded paper crane
These decorations are used to wish for family safety and longevity. It may be made into 1,000 paper cranes.
paper garment
Origami paper is folded into the shape of dolls and kimonos, and hung in hopes of improving one's sewing skills.
pouch
It means a wallet, and is a decoration for money and savings.
Back to Table of ContentsFood culture related to Tanabata
Tanabata is one of the five seasonal festivals, and in each of the five festivals, there is a tradition to ward off evil spirits by eating foods that ward off evil spirits in each season. In addition, some regions have their own Tanabata-related food culture, each with its own meaning and origin. Here are three typical Tanabata foods.
fine white noodles
Soumen is a typical Japanese Tanabata food. There are various theories as to how Soumen came to be eaten on Tanabata, with some saying that it was made to resemble the Milky Way and others saying that it was made to resemble the weaving thread of an orihime (a princess weaver). July 7 is designated as "Tanabata and Soumen Day" as an essential food for the five festivals.
Sakubei (cakes with a sweetened red bean paste)
Sungcakes are a traditional Chinese food made by kneading wheat and weaving it into a rope-like shape. In China, people eat cable cakes on July 7 to pray for good health.
Soumen is said to have its roots in somen, which was introduced from China and is said to have changed from "somen cake" to "somen (somen noodles).
Tanabata Houtou
In the Matsumoto area of Nagano Prefecture, Tanabata Festival is held on August 7, a month later than usual, and there is a custom of eating Tanabata Hoto as an event food. Houtou is a thick noodle made of wheat flour.
Tanabata houtou is a cool, refreshing food made by twisting sticky houtou with azuki bean bean paste and cooling it slightly before eating.
Generally, white noodles are used, but recently there are noodles with yomogi (mugwort), and sometimes they are covered with kinako (soybean flour) instead of azuki bean paste.
Reference Tanabata Houtou｜Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan
Back to Table of ContentsMiscellaneous Quiz on Tanabata
We have prepared a miscellaneous quiz related to Tanabata. There will be a total of 5 questions.
We encourage you to try to clear it!
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Summary
Tanabata is a Japanese summer tradition that is familiar to many people. However, few people may know what kind of event it originally was.
You may enjoy Tanabata more by learning about the origin of Tanabata and the meaning behind the bamboo decorations.
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