July | Wishes & Starry Skies
July | Wishes & Starry Skies
The Tanabata
Story & Wishes
The Tanabata
Story & Wishes
The Tanabata
Story & Wishes
The Tanabata
Story & Wishes
One Sky, Different Tanabata Traditions
One Sky, Different Tanabata Traditions
One Sky, Different Tanabata Traditions
One Sky, Different Tanabata Traditions
The story of Tanabata begins beneath the stars. In China, it is the tale of Niulang and Zhinu; in Japan, it is the story of Hikoboshi and Orihime. Though told with different names, both share the same legend of two lovers separated by the Milky Way who are reunited just once a year. As the story traveled from China to Japan, it gradually became part of each country's own culture and traditions.
The story of Tanabata begins beneath the stars. In China, it is the tale of Niulang and Zhinu; in Japan, it is the story of Hikoboshi and Orihime. Though told with different names, both share the same legend of two lovers separated by the Milky Way who are reunited just once a year. As the story traveled from China to Japan, it gradually became part of each country's own culture and traditions.
The story of Tanabata begins beneath the stars. In China, it is the tale of Niulang and Zhinu; in Japan, it is the story of Hikoboshi and Orihime. Though told with different names, both share the same legend of two lovers separated by the Milky Way who are reunited just once a year. As the story traveled from China to Japan, it gradually became part of each country's own culture and traditions.
The story of Tanabata begins beneath the stars. In China, it is the tale of Niulang and Zhinu. In Japan, it is the story of Hikoboshi and Orihime. Though told with different names, both share the same legend of two lovers separated by the Milky Way who are reunited just once a year. As the story traveled from China to Japan, it gradually became part of each country's own culture and traditions.
Where the Story Begins
Where the Story Begins
Where the Story Begins
Where the Story Begins
The teacher introduced the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi through storytelling and conversation.As the story unfolded, everyone learned about the Milky Way, the stars, waiting, and reunion, while beginning to notice the tanzaku wish strips and Tanabata decorations around the classroom.An ancient story found its way from the distant stars into the classroom, becoming part of everyday life.
The teacher introduced the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi through storytelling and conversation.As the story unfolded, everyone learned about the Milky Way, the stars, waiting, and reunion, while beginning to notice the tanzaku wish strips and Tanabata decorations around the classroom.An ancient story found its way from the distant stars into the classroom, becoming part of everyday life.
The teacher introduced the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi through storytelling and conversation.As the story unfolded, everyone learned about the Milky Way, the stars, waiting, and reunion, while beginning to notice the tanzaku wish strips and Tanabata decorations around the classroom.An ancient story found its way from the distant stars into the classroom, becoming part of everyday life.
Listening to the Story of Tanabata Together
Listening to the Story of Tanabata Together
Listening to the Story of Tanabata Together
Listening to the Story of Tanabata Together
As everyone listened to the teacher's storytelling, they were introduced to the Tanabata tradition, getting to know its characters while discovering the meaning behind wishes, waiting, and reunion through conversation and shared reflection.
As everyone listened to the teacher's storytelling, they were introduced to the Tanabata tradition, getting to know its characters while discovering the meaning behind wishes, waiting, and reunion through conversation and shared reflection.
As everyone listened to the teacher's storytelling, they were introduced to the Tanabata tradition, getting to know its characters while discovering the meaning behind wishes, waiting, and reunion through conversation and shared reflection.
One Story, Two Tanabata Traditions
One Story, Two Tanabata Traditions
One Story, Two Tanabata Traditions
Illustration | Chinese and Japanese Tanabata Under the Same Starry Sky
Illustration | Chinese and Japanese Tanabata Under the Same Starry Sky
Illustration | Chinese and Japanese Tanabata Under the Same Starry Sky
Japanese Tanabata
Japanese Tanabata
Writing Wishes on Tanzaku
Writing Wishes on Tanzaku
In Japan, Tanabata is traditionally celebrated on July 7. People write their wishes on colorful tanzaku wish strips and hang them on bamboo branches, hoping for success in learning, growth in skills, and wishes that are close to their hearts. For young children, Tanabata is a special time to express their hopes and learn to appreciate the wishes of others.
In Japan, Tanabata is traditionally celebrated on July 7. People write their wishes on colorful tanzaku wish strips and hang them on bamboo branches, hoping for success in learning, growth in skills, and wishes that are close to their hearts. For young children, Tanabata is a special time to express their hopes and learn to appreciate the wishes of others.
In Japan, Tanabata is traditionally celebrated on July 7. People write their wishes on colorful tanzaku wish strips and hang them on bamboo branches, hoping for success in learning, growth in skills, and wishes that are close to their hearts. For young children, Tanabata is a special time to express their hopes and learn to appreciate the wishes of others.
Chinese Qixi Festival
Chinese Qixi Festival
Praying to Zhinu for Weaving Skills and a Joyful Reunion
Praying to Zhinu for Weaving Skills and a Joyful Reunion
The Chinese Qixi Festival falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month and is also known as the Qiqiao Festival. Traditionally, people pray to Zhinu, the Weaver Girl, for wisdom and skill, while the reunion of Niulang and Zhinu symbolizes love, patience, and reunion.
Because Qixi follows the lunar calendar, it is celebrated later than Japan's Tanabata on July 7. This time, we explored the story and compared the two traditions. We will continue with traditional crafts and creative activities when the Chinese Qixi Festival arrives.
The Chinese Qixi Festival falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month and is also known as the Qiqiao Festival. Traditionally, people pray to Zhinu, the Weaver Girl, for wisdom and skill, while the reunion of Niulang and Zhinu symbolizes love, patience, and reunion.
Because Qixi follows the lunar calendar, it is celebrated later than Japan's Tanabata on July 7. This time, we explored the story and compared the two traditions. We will continue with traditional crafts and creative activities when the Chinese Qixi Festival arrives.
The Chinese Qixi Festival falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month and is also known as the Qiqiao Festival. Traditionally, people pray to Zhinu, the Weaver Girl, for wisdom and skill, while the reunion of Niulang and Zhinu symbolizes love, patience, and reunion.
Because Qixi follows the lunar calendar, it is celebrated later than Japan's Tanabata on July 7. This time, we explored the story and compared the two traditions. We will continue with traditional crafts and creative activities when the Chinese Qixi Festival arrives.
From one story, everyone discovered that
the same sky can inspire different traditions.
From one story, everyone discovered that
the same sky can inspire different traditions.
From one story, everyone discovered that
the same sky can inspire different traditions.
From one story, everyone discovered that
the same sky can inspire different traditions.
Activity Information
Activity Information
Activity Information
Date
July 2026
July 2026
July 2026
Location
Location
Classroom
Classroom
Classroom
Activities
Tanabata story, Orihime and Hikoboshi, Japanese Tanabata traditions, and an introduction to the Chinese Qixi Festival.
Tanabata story, Orihime and Hikoboshi, Japanese Tanabata traditions, and an introduction to the Chinese Qixi Festival.
Tanabata story, Orihime and Hikoboshi, Japanese Tanabata traditions, and an introduction to the Chinese Qixi Festival.
Record
Record
Photos & Videos
Photos & Videos
Photos & Videos