Sendai Tanabata Matsuri

Sendai Tanabata Matsuri (仙台七夕祭) also known as the Star Festival is annually held from August 6-8. The festival is supposed to be held on the seventh day of the seventh month, but the Sendai Tanabata Matsuri goes off the lunar calendar, which is a month later. Sendai Tanabata Matsuri will have colorful streamers and paper decorations all over the area. Depending on the shape will determine what luck you are looking for from purses to trash bags. Also there are tanzaku, paper strips, for people to write their wishes on and hang it on bamboo wishing trees. Legend says that Orihime wove clothes her father, Tentei, adored. Orihime was sad because she did not give her a chance to fall in love. Tentei concerned for his daughter arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi the cow herder. It was love at first sight and soon they were married, but Orihime stopped weaving. Hikoboshi’s herd strayed all over heaven and that was it for Tentei. He separated the two by using Amanogawa and forbade them to meet. Orihime devastated begged her father to let them meet and Tentei moved allowed them to see each other once a year on the 7th day of the 7th month. However, there was no bridge to cross the river for Orihime to use. Her cries brought magpies to her aid and they promised to make a bridge with their wings.