七夕は7月7日の夜、天の川に隔てられている牽牛星と織女星が、天帝の許しを得て年に一度会えるという中国の伝説からはじまった星を司る年中行事です。
もとは朝廷の貴族の間で行われていた祭でしたが、江戸時代から一般庶民の間に定着しました。6日の夜には、色とりどりの短冊に願い事を書いたり、歌を書いたりして笹につるし、7日の夜に庭先にだします。
Tanabata(July 7)
Tanabata is the Star Festival that occurs on July 7. It is based on the legend in which Altair and Vega, who are split apart on opposite sides of the Milky Way, are allowed to meet once a year on this night by the Emperor of the universe.
Originally a festival carried out among the Court nobility, it has since the Edo Period become established among the people at large.
On the night of the 6th, people write their wishes or poems on strips of poetry paper of various colors and hang them on bamboo grass; then, on the night of the 7th, they put them out in the garden.
