Tanabata Festival
June 13th, 2008 by Carolyn ToddWhen: July 7th
Where: Various shrines, including Jishu-Jinja and Kitano Tenmangu
Access: Jishu-Jinja: Kiyomizu-michi stop: from JR Kyoto Station, bus 206 (15 mins); from Shijo Kawaramachi, bus 207 (10 mins)
Kitano Tenmangu: from JR Kyoto Station, bus 50, 101 (30 mins); from Shijo Kawaramachi, bus 203 (25 mins)
The Tanabata Festival is a star festival of love. In various countries, there are local folk stories of star-crossed lovers whose tales are remembered in the story of the lovers Vega and Altair who are separated in the sky by the Milky Way and are only permitted to meet once a year on the 7th day of the 7th month (which can be interpreted as different dates depending on your calendar).
In Japan, people write their names, maybe with that of a loved one, or hopes and wishes, on paper dolls or strips that they hang on trees in the hope of starting or maintaining a romantic relationship during the year.
Jishu-Jinja shrine in Kyoto is dedicated to the deity of love and matchmaking so this is a popular location for those with romantic aspirations.
