Tanabata is the Japanese star festival, celebrated annually on the 7th day of the 7th month of the year. People celebrate this festival by writing their wishes on small pieces of colorful paper and hanging them on bamboo. This celebration originated from the famous legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi. Orihime was the daughter of Tentei, the Sky King. Everyday, Orihime wove beautiful clothing for her father on the banks of the Milky Way. Although this pleased Tentei, he was concerned that her hard work would interfere with her chances of falling in love. Because of this, he introduced her to Hikoboshi. Hikoboshi lived and worked on the other side of the Milky Way. When the two met, they immediately fell in love and married. However, once married, Orihime stopped weaving clothing for her father. This angered Tentei and as a result, he separated the two lovers and forbade them to meet. Upon being separated, Orihime pleaded with her father to let her see Hikoboshi again. Tentei responded by saying that he would let the couple meet once a year on the 7th day of the 7th month only if Orihime worked hard and finished her weaving. So every year, on July 7th, we celebrate the reunion of Orihime and Hikoboshi with the festival of Tanabata.

My  Opinion
After hearing the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi, I feel that Tanabata is both a sad and happy event. It is sad in the sense that this couple is only reunited once a year. If I saw my loved ones for only one day out of the year, I would be extremely sad and would not know what to do with myself. But on the other hand, this festival can also be a happy event because the day that you are reunited with a loved one is great day and should be celebrated.