Tanabata: A Night to Meet Our True Wishes

On July 13th, we held a Tanabata gathering on Osakikamijima.

Our theme was to spend time deeply connecting with ourselves, and to write down our true wishes on tanzaku strips of paper.

We wanted to reimagine this Japanese tradition—not merely as a custom, but as a chance to listen inward and express what truly matters in our hearts.

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Daytime: A Market for Body and Soul

The venue was Sōan.

From the moment we opened, the Acupuncture & Fortune-telling Booth and the Sacred Hemp and Makomo Accessories stand were bustling with visitors.

Many enjoyed this time of healing, refreshing both mind and body as they prepared for the new season.

At lunchtime, we gathered around Lime-san’s fragrant, spice-rich “Lime Curry,” and a warm sense of connection filled the room.

Within Sōan, hearts seemed to open naturally — words rarely spoken in daily life were exchanged with honesty and depth.

At their own pace, guests turned to the tanzaku, quietly writing down their true wishes and tying them to the bamboo branches.

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Evening: Flowing Somen, Stories, Stars, and Sound

In the evening, we moved to the Tsuki-no-Miya venue.

We began with nagashi-somen — a playful Japanese summer tradition where thin wheat noodles flow down a bamboo flume, and you catch them with chopsticks before dipping them into sauce.

Laughter and gentle conversations filled the warm twilight.

Next came Tanabata storytelling by Sunami-san, our local storyteller.

Even as we listened, some participants continued to add new wishes to the tanzaku.

As dusk fell, we shared slices of chiffon cake, then lit candles that cast a soft glow over the gathering.

One by one, stars appeared above.

During the sound bath, resonant tones seemed to reach into the night sky, as if connecting us directly with the universe.

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After the Wishes

In total, about 20 people joined across the day and evening sessions.

Later, the tanzaku tied to the bamboo were respectfully burned in a ceremonial otakiage by the two organizers, sending the wishes to the heavens.

It was a night when each wish rose quietly yet powerfully into the starry sky.

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This Tanabata gathering became a time for every participant to reconnect with their own inner self — and for us, the organizers, it was a day of deep joy and gratitude.

To all who joined us, thank you from the heart.