July 15, 2002

• Tanabata

  This next set of pictures was taken near Yotsuya Station and on the Ginza a few years back. Tanabata, or the Star Festival, is an informal event that takes place in early July.   It is based on the story of a heavenly shepherd who paid too much attention to the lovely object of his affections and allowed his sheeply charges to be scattered far and wide.  As punishment, the starry couple was banished to opposite ends of the universe. Boo hoo.  But, all is not lost, because on one night of the year they are allowed to meet if it is not raining.

  To decorate properly for the Star Festival, cut a branch of bamboo from your garden and decorate it with colored paper chains, origami objects or whatever.  Then, take a strip of paper and write a wish on it and hang it on the tree with the other decorations.  The starry god and goddess may see and grant your wish.  There was a bamboo branch outside of Yotsuya Station (Chuo Line - red trains - can't miss it) upon which many had hung their wishes.  I think that the ladies in the second picture are about to add theirs to the branch.

  

  

  The Ginza was also done up in Star Festival style.  You can see many of the bamboo branches lining the street.  It is a bit like Christmas in July.  The other two pictures are just on the Ginza. The last one is of the most famous and high priced (realtywise) corner.

  

  

  

  • 09:32
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