[Childcare] Tanabata Trivia Compilation | Learn About the Festival

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Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

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 | Let’s learn about the festival (21–30)

Which of the following is a traditional food commonly eaten on Tanabata?

somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)
kagami mochi (traditional Japanese New Year rice cake decoration)
kashiwa mochi (oak leaf-wrapped rice cake)

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somen (thin Japanese wheat noodles)

The custom of eating somen noodles originates from a Chinese confection called sakubei that used to be eaten. It was a sweet for wishing good health and freedom from illness. There are also various other theories—for example, that somen represents the Milky Way.

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On what month and day is Tanabata?

July 7
March 3
January 1

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July 7

The Tanabata on July 7 is called the traditional Tanabata and refers to the 7th day of the 7th month in the old lunar calendar. When converted to the current solar calendar, Tanabata actually falls sometime from early to late August. The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan announces the date of Tanabata each year.

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Which of the following can be made using bamboo leaves?

windmill
boat
airplane

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boat

A sasa-bune is a simple craft you can make with bamboo grass leaves. Making one with real leaves might be difficult for children at preschool. How about using a milk carton or similar materials to make something that looks like a sasa-bune?

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In the song “Tanabata-sama,” what does the word nokiba refer to?

the edge of the roof
A place where there are cows and horses
a place to hang the laundry

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the edge of the roof

In old houses, the part of the roof that juts out from the building was called the eaves. Since bamboo leaves were often displayed at the entrance, that’s why they appear in the song.

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Why did Orihime and Hikoboshi end up being separated?

Because I got lost
Because I played too much
Because (I) played a prank.

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Because I played too much

It is said that although Orihime and Hikoboshi were both hard workers, after they married they did nothing but play, were scolded, and ended up being separated. Incidentally, Orihime’s work was weaving, and Hikoboshi was a cowherd.

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Which of the following pairs can meet once a year on Tanabata?

Orihime and Hikoboshi
Santa and the Reindeer
The Emperor doll and the Empress doll

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Orihime and Hikoboshi

Two people reunited at Tanabata. There are various theories about the weather that day: some say they cannot meet if it rains, while others believe the rain is tears of joy when they do meet. It’s a romantic tradition.

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On Tanabata, people make wishes. Originally, what kind of things was this event meant to ask for?

I hope I get smarter.
I hope I can run faster.
I hope I get better at sewing.

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I hope I get better at sewing.

Orihime’s work is weaving. Orihime’s star, Vega, symbolizes the craft of sewing. Therefore, in the past there was a custom of praying for improvement in sewing. Today, it’s an enjoyable festival where people make all kinds of wishes.

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