Tanabata: A Time of Prayer and Renewal

Tanabata is a traditional Japanese festival born from the fusion of two ancient traditions: Tanahata, a purification ritual involving weaving sacred cloth, and the Chinese legend of the stars—Orihime and Hikoboshi—lovers who meet across the Milky Way once a year.

In the old Japanese ritual of Tanahata, young women would weave cloth by a pure stream and offer it to the gods, praying for bountiful harvests and good health. It was a ceremony of prayer and purification.

Later, the romantic tale of the star-crossed lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi, merged with this ritual, creating the modern Tanabata we know today.

Tanabata can be seen as a day when “separated things reunite.”

Heaven and Earth, Yin and Yang, logic and intuition, inner and outer worlds—

for a fleeting moment, opposing forces come together again.

And perhaps, for each of us, it is also a chance to reunite with our true self.

This festival takes place just after Nagoshi no Harae, the traditional purification ritual at the end of June.

It is a perfect moment to cleanse our body and mind, and begin anew with the turning of the seasons.

Prayer and wishes, encounter and integration, death and rebirth—

Tanabata reflects these deep rhythms of the soul.

It is a quiet yet powerful seasonal threshold, where transformation begins.

This event is a co-creation between Tonoya / Sōan — formerly known as Era-tei and Tsuki-no-Miya.

Daytime Gathering: Tanabata Market & Writing Your Wish

Date: Saturday, July 13th — 12:00 PM to around 3:00 PM

Location: Tonoya / Sōan — formerly known as Era-tei (3489 Higashino, Osaki-Kamijima)

[Google Map Link]

Parking: [Link or directions]

Admission: Free

Program:

One of the most cherished Tanabata customs is writing wishes on colorful strips of paper (tanzaku).

For children and adults alike, it is an invitation to listen inward and rediscover our “true wishes.”

Let’s tune in to the voice within and find words to express who we truly want to become.

We’ll also host a small Tanabata Market, perfect for refreshing your body and spirit as we step into a new season.

Market Booths

• Nurukumori – Sacred Fiber Accessories

  Unique accessories made of Shinasa (hemp) and Makomo (wild rice straw), crafted by artist Hannami, who also participated in the Osaki-Kamijima Art Walk.

  These items carry the spirit of prayer and purification.

  

  
  

• Acupuncture & Divination Booth

  Lime, a harpist, licensed acupuncturist, and intuitive reader, offers healing treatments and personal readings to help guide your path of renewal.

  
  

• (Food booth may also be available)

Evening Gathering: Stories, Wishes, and a Night of Stars

Date: Saturday, July 13th — From 5:00 PM

Location: Tsuki-no-Miya (1970 Obara, Higashino, Osaki-Kamijima)

[Google Map Link]

Parking: [Link or directions]

Admission: ¥1,000 per person / ¥500 for students

Yukata welcome!

Program:

As the sun begins to set, we’ll gather to listen to Tanabata stories shared by a storyteller, and continue writing our wishes on tanzaku.

Then, as the evening deepens, we will light candles and welcome the stars together.

Heaven and Earth, Yin and Yang, logic and intuition, inner and outer—

On this night, such opposites reunite, guiding us to reconnect with our true essence.

Let us share this quiet, beautiful evening under the stars, where transformation begins with a wish.

(Light refreshments may be served)