Experience the Magic of the Tanabata Festival with Emma
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A. Diary Entry:
Date: July 7th
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Dear Diary,
Today was a truly magical day!
I attended a summer language study
programme here in Tokyo, and it was filled with fascinating cultural activities.
One highlight was learning about the Tanabata festival, also known as the Star Festival.
During the programme, we attended a beautiful play that depicted the ancient legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi.
The story is about two star-crossed lovers who are separated by the *Milky Way and are allowed to meet just once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month.
Milky Way= galaxy, our stars system
The performance was enchanting, with elaborate costumes and mesmerising music.
After the play, we participated in traditional Tanabata activities.
We wrote our wishes on colourful strips of paper called tanzaku and hung them on bamboo branches.
It was heartwarming to see everyone's hopes and dreams fluttering in the breeze.
Cultural Insight
Tanabata is a beloved festival in Japan, celebrating the legend of Orihime (the *Weaver Star) and Hikoboshi (the Cowherd Star).
weaver = person who weaves cloth
cowherd= the person who works looking after cattle
This festival is a beautiful blend of storytelling, tradition, and community spirit. People across Japan decorate bamboo branches with tanzaku and other ornaments, creating a festive atmosphere.
Reflection:
Learning about Tanabata through this immersive experience was incredible.
It not only enhanced my understanding of Japanese culture but also improved my language skills.
Listening to the play, reading about the legend, and speaking with local students helped me practise all four ESL skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
I can't wait to share more about my adventures and the cultural insights I gather along the way. Until next time!
Cultural Insight
The festival of Tanabata is deeply connected to a beautiful and romantic Japanese folk story known as "The Legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi," which tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers.
Here is a brief summary of the story:
The Legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi
Orihime (the Weaving Princess):
Orihime, the daughter of the Sky King (Tentei), was a talented weaver who made beautiful cloth by the bank of the Milky Way (Amanogawa). She worked very hard and was dedicated to her weaving, but she was lonely and had no time to meet anyone.
Hikoboshi (the Cowherd):
Hikoboshi was a cowherd who lived on the other side of the Milky Way. He was a diligent worker, tending to his cattle with great care.
The Meeting:
Tentei, seeing his daughter’s loneliness, arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi. When they met, it was love at first sight, and they quickly married. However, after their marriage, Orihime stopped weaving and Hikoboshi neglected his cattle because they were so happy to be together.
The Separation:
Angered by their neglect of their duties, Tentei separated them, placing them on opposite sides of the Milky Way and forbidding them from meeting. Orihime was heartbroken and cried so much that Tentei eventually took pity on them.
The Reunion:
Tentei allowed them to meet once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month (July 7th), provided they worked hard the rest of the year. On this day, a bridge of magpies forms over the Milky Way, allowing Orihime and Hikoboshi to be together for one night.
B. Vocabulary - Word List / Meanings & Example Sentence
(a) Legend = A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated.
Example Sentence: The legend of Tanabata tells the tale of two lovers separated
by the Milky Way.
(b) Tanzaku = Strips of paper on which people write their wishes during the Tanabata festival.
Example Sentence: I wrote my wish on a tanzaku and hung it on the bamboo tree.
(c) enchanting = very pleasant
Example Sentence: It was an enchanting performance.
(d) Mesmerising = To hold the complete attention of someone.
Example Sentence: The play about Tanabata was mesmerizing and held everyone’s attention.
(e) Elaborate = Involving many carefully arranged parts or details.
Example Sentence: The costumes for the Tanabata play were elaborate and stunning.
(f) Flutter - To move lightly and quickly.
Example Sentence: The tanzaku fluttered in the breeze, creating a beautiful display of colors.
C. Let's Practise!
Questions:
Answer the questions. Practise saying your answers out loud.
(i) How did learning about Tanabata help improve Emma's language skills?
(ii) What new vocabulary did Emma learn, and how can you use these words in
sentences?
(iii) Imagine you are attending a cultural festival in another country. Write a short diary entry describing your experience and what you learned.
Vocabulary Matching:
Match the following words with the definitions below:
Legend
Tanzaku
Mesmerising
Elaborate
Flutter
Definitions:
(a) Strips of paper on which people write their wishes during the Tanabata festival.
(b) To move lightly and quickly.
(c) A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated.
(d) Involving many carefully arranged parts or details.
(e) To hold the complete attention of someone.
Thank you for reading and happy learning.
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