Tanabata Tree 🎋
Copy & Meaning

A tanabata tree — the bamboo branch decorated with colorful paper strips (tanzaku) and ornaments that represents Japan's beloved Star Festival on July 7th. Tanabata celebrates the meeting of the star deities Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair), separated by the Milky Way and permitted to meet once yearly. The tradition of writing wishes on tanzaku and hanging them on bamboo reflects the belief that heartfelt wishes reach the stars.

Sendai and Hiratsuka host enormous tanabata festivals with elaborate bamboo decorations. Used for tanabata festival announcements, Japanese cultural celebrations, expressions of heartfelt wishes and dreams, star and astronomy content, and celebration of Japan's beautiful summer festival traditions.