The annual Japanese Tanabata Festival (also known as the “Star Festival) celebrates the spirit of weaving, beautiful fabric, true love, and heavenly bodies. It has been celebrated for more than six centuries, inspired by a legend originating in China almost a thousand years ago.
The legend tells the story of beautiful princess Orihime, daughter of the Emperor-god Tentei. Oriheme is a skilled weaver who creates masterful textiles for her father’s garments. When it comes time to marry, Tentei introduces Orihime to Kengyu (sometimes called Hikoboshi), a lowly shepherd. Their marriage is blissful, but the love-struck Orihime begins to neglect her weaving.
Tentei becomes angered by Orihime’s neglect and banishes his daughter and son-in-law to opposite ends of the galaxy. Orihime’s grief is so great, however, that her father finally permits her to be transported by a boatman (the moon) across the river Amanogawa (the Milky Way) to rendezvous with Kengyuu once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month (on the lunar calendar). If it rains on this date, the boatman doesn’t appear. Instead, a flock of crows (or magpies) forms a bridge which Orihime walks over.
The word tanabata is loosely translated as “weaving with the loom (bata) placed on the shelf (tana).” During the Tanabata festivals, celebrants write their wishes (usually expressing desires for improved skills) on strips of paper called tanzaku, and hang them on bamboo strips or poles. When the festival is over, the tanzaku are often set afloat on a river or burned to send their messages on their journey to the gods.
How the legend inspired me
I first came across the Tanbata story while reading a book about art projects for children. One of the projects, which was described as a decoration used for the Tanabata festival, consisted of a simple folded square whose base — when looked at from the bottom up — resembled a star. It is this shape that ultimately inspired the creation of the Tanabata Quilt Block pattern.
I hope you will enjoy reading more about the Tanabata legend (see links below), and that you will find a place of honor in your home for whatever you make using your Tanabata blocks. For example, what could be more relevant than a wall hanging made from Tanabata blocks, hung on a bamboo rod and placed in a room where the skills you wish to master (sewing … cooking … school work) — will be warmed by its colorful presence?
Tanabata: Festival of Star-Crossed Lovers, by Shane Sakata – A general introduction to the Tanabata legend and the annual festival.
Orihime, Kengyuu, and Tanabata: Adapting Chinese Lore to Native Beliefs and Purposes, by Steve Renshaw and Saori Ihara – Comparison of the Tanabata festival in China and Japan, featuring a fascinating explanation of the astronomical relevance, drawings of the constellations, and more.
Tanabata – Conscience-weaving under Summer Stars, by Terry Boardman – A beautifully spiritual spin on the Tanabata legend, drawing upon writings by Rudolph Steiner including Cycle of the Year and The Four Seasons and the Archangel.
The Summer Triangle – Explains the role which the stars Vega and Altair play in lighting up the summer night sky. (“…Three brilliant stars form this stellar right triangle making it our best heavenly landmark in the August night sky…”), and includes instructions for how to locate the stars with the naked eye or a telescope.
The earthquake and tsunamis that struck Japan on March 11, 2011 left their devastating mark in Sendai and other communities that celebrate the Tanabata Festival. Please consider making a donation to the 
