The Tanabata Legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi
Tanabata is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month, which traditionally is
July 7th, although in some regions it is observed according to the lunar calendar, which can place it in August.
Cultural Significance:
The story symbolises the importance of hard work and dedication, and the festival is a time for people to reflect on their own aspirations and wishes.
Once upon a time in the heavens...
Watch the YouTube video
>> The Legend of Tanabata - https://youtu.be/9PVIXlggHYg
Watch and Learn! For video lessons that bring this content to life, subscribe to our YouTube channel.
There lived a beautiful weaver princess named Orihime, the daughter of Tentei, the Sky King. Orihime wove the most magnificent cloth by the bank of the Amanogawa, known as the Milky
Way.
Her father loved the cloth she wove, but Orihime was sad because her hard work left her no time to meet anyone and fall in love.
Seeing his daughter's sadness, Tentei arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi, a cowherd who lived and worked on the other side of the Amanogawa.
When Orihime and Hikoboshi met, they fell in love at first sight and were soon married.
However, once they were married, Orihime and Hikoboshi became so absorbed in their love for each other that they began to neglect their duties.
Orihime stopped weaving her beautiful cloth, and Hikoboshi let his cows wander all over heaven.
Furious at the neglect of their duties, Tentei separated the lovers, placing them
on opposite sides of the Amanogawa and forbidding them to meet.
Orihime was heartbroken and cried day and night. Moved by his daughter’s tears, Tentei allowed them to meet once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month, if Orihime worked hard and completed her weaving.
On the night of Tanabata, Orihime and Hikoboshi are allowed to cross the Amanogawa and be together.
It is said that if it rains on Tanabata, the rain represents Orihime and Hikoboshi's tears, and they cannot meet that year.
However, if the skies are clear, they can cross the bridge of magpies (formed by the birds) and be reunited.
Tanabata Festival Celebration: The Tanabata festival celebrates the annual meeting of Orihime and Hikoboshi. People write their wishes, often related to love, happiness, and improved skills, on small strips of paper called tanzaku, which they then hang on bamboo branches.
The festival is marked by various events and activities, such as parades, decorations, and the hanging of tanzaku (small pieces of paper with wishes written on them) on bamboo branches.
It is a time for community gatherings and festive celebrations, but it does not include a day off from work or school.
Cultural Significance: The story symbolises the importance of hard work and dedication, and the festival is a time for people to reflect on their own aspirations and wishes.
Vocabulary Review
(a) weaver = A person who makes fabric from thread.
Example Sentence:
-Orihime was a skilled weaver, creating beautiful cloths for the gods.
(b) Milky Way = The galaxy containing our solar system, seen as a bright band of stars across the sky.
Example Sentence:
-The Milky Way separated Orihime and Hikoboshi, keeping them apart.
(c) cowherd = A person who looks after cattle or makes a living by herding cattle.
Example Sentence:
-Hikoboshi was a cowherd who looked after the cows in the celestial fields.
Recap!
Let's review what happened in the story.
Cultural Quiz
Who is Orihime in the legend?
What is the Amanogawa in the story?
Why were Orihime and Hikoboshi separated?
What happens if it rains on Tanabata?
What forms the bridge that allows Orihime and Hikoboshi to meet?
Answer:
1. Orihime is the Weaving Princess, the daughter of the Sky King.
2. The Amanogawa is the Milky Way, which separates Orihime and Hikoboshi.
3. They were separated because they neglected their duties after falling in love.
4. If it rains on Tanabata, it is said that the lovers cannot meet, and the rain represents their tears.
5. A bridge of magpies forms to allow Orihime and Hikoboshi to meet.
Share your thoughts!
The Milky Way is called 'Amanogawa' in Japanese, which means 'river of heaven.' Can you think of any other interesting translations in English?
We hope you've enjoyed reading the Tanabata legend of the Weaver and Cowherd.
Thank you for stopping by and Happy learning!
Got any questions? Contact us using the form down below!
Comments