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[Childcare] Tanabata Trivia Compilation | Learn About the Festival
July 7 is also a traditional Tanabata event in early childhood education.
This date is based on the old calendar and is designated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.
Children love decorating bamboo branches and writing their wishes on tanzaku strips.
In addition, the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi is very romantic and a great way to spark children’s imaginations.
Here, we introduce a quiz about Tanabata.
By learning the meanings and origins of Tanabata-related customs, you can enjoy the festival even more.
Be sure to think and play together with the children!
[Childcare] A collection of quizzes about Tanabata | Learn about the festival (1–10)
What do people eat on Tanabata?
- rice cake (mochi)
- somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)
- rice ball
See the answer
somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)
On Tanabata, there is a custom of eating long, thin somen noodles, which are likened to the Milky Way. Somen came to be eaten as a wish for good health and freedom from illness.
What is the name of the river that appears on the night of Tanabata?
- Milky Way
- Yodogawa
- Sumida River
See the answer
Milky Way
In the Tanabata legend, Orihime and Hikoboshi live on opposite sides of the Amanogawa and are allowed to meet only once a year by crossing a bridge that spans the Milky Way. The Milky Way refers to the white, luminous band visible in the night sky.
What is the food, resembling the Milky Way, that is eaten on Tanabata (July 7)?
- soba
- somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)
- spaghetti
See the answer
somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)
The idea that somen noodles represent the Milky Way is easy for children to understand, but it seems the real origin is the Chinese dish called sakubei. It’s interesting how there are various reasons behind it.
July 7th is the traditional Tanabata festival. Which of the following is eaten as a festive food?
- udon
- somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)
- soba
See the answer
somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)
In China, there is a custom of eating sakubei (a type of fried dough) on Tanabata to pray for good health, and it is said that this later changed into eating somen noodles. There’s also a theory that somen represents the Milky Way.
On Tanabata strips of paper, we write our wishes. What kind of wishes would be good to write?
- Write what you want
- Write the place you want to go
- Write down what you want to get better at.
See the answer
Write down what you want to get better at.
Tanabata originated from the Chinese festival Kikkōden, associated with Orihime, who worked as a weaver. It was a day to pray for improvement in the arts. For this reason, it is considered good on Tanabata to make wishes for things you want to get better at.
On Tanabata, July 7, who is it said will meet each other?
- Orihime and Hikoboshi
- Cats and Dogs
- The Emperor and Empress (Hina dolls)
See the answer
Orihime and Hikoboshi
Orihime and Hikoboshi are allowed to meet once a year on Tanabata. There are various theories, such as that they cannot meet if it rains, or that the rain is their tears of joy when they reunite.
Why were Orihime and Hikoboshi able to meet only once a year?
- Because we had a fight
- Because I was just playing around
- Because I'm busy
See the answer
Because I was just playing around
Orihime and Hikoboshi were originally hard workers, but after they got married they spent all their time playing, so they were allowed to meet only once a year. Maintaining a diligent attitude toward what needs to be done is important in any era.