somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)

July 7th is Tanabata, a festival inspired by the romantic legend that Orihime and Hikoboshi can meet only once a year at the Milky Way. One of the foods traditionally eaten on this day is somen (thin wheat noodles).

cowherd

In the legend of Tanabata, Orihime is known for her work as a weaver, while Hikoboshi is said to have worked as a cowherd. This derives from an ancient Chinese myth, in which Orihime is associated with the weaving star (Vega) and Hikoboshi with the cowherd star (Altair).

Because bamboo grass (sasa) was considered sacred

In the Tanabata festival, people hang tanzaku (paper strips) on bamboo because bamboo has long been regarded as a sacred plant. Since bamboo grows straight upward toward the sky, it holds special meaning as a medium for conveying wishes to the gods.

Opening of the mountain season

In July, the climbing season begins on many mountains, including Mount Fuji. During this period, ceremonies and events called “Yama-biraki” (mountain opening) are held, marking the official start date when climbing is permitted. Yama-biraki is a traditional event to pray for safety in the mountains and the well-being of climbers, and it often includes prayers and ceremonies at Shinto shrines.

ground cherry (Japanese lantern plant)

On July 9 and 10 each year, the Hozuki (Chinese lantern plant) Fair—known as a hallmark of summer—is held at Senso-ji Temple during the festival of Shimanrokusennichi. It is said that offering prayers on these days brings the same merit as praying for 46,000 days (about 126 years), drawing many worshippers to the temple.

The ship carrying Emperor Meiji safely returned to port.

It originates from Emperor Meiji’s 1876 (Meiji 9) imperial tour of the Tohoku region and his safe return to Yokohama Port. This event came to carry symbolic meaning as a day to “give thanks for the blessings of the sea and pray for the prosperity of Japan as a maritime nation,” which later led to the establishment of Marine Day.

loom

“Tanabata” originally refers to a loom. In ancient Japan, a weaving hut or platform set up in a sacred place was called “tanabata” (literally, ‘shelf loom’), where a weaving maiden (a woman who wove) would weave cloth to offer to the gods.