I love Tanabata. 七夕が大好きです。
It's almost like New Year :) Because you can make a wish, or two, or even three! In the hassle of every day life, sometimes I forget why and what for am I pushing myself so much. So these kinds of special days make me stop and think about what I really want to do or with whom and where I want to go :)
お正月並みに好きです。願い事ができるからです。毎日忙しく過ごす間はなんのためにこんなに頑張っているのかをわからなくなる時があります。だから、お正月も七夕も本当に何がしたいか、何が大切とかについて考えさせるイベントです。
In Japan Tanabata (also known as Star Festival) is usually celebrated on the 7 of July. It was introduced to Japan from China around the Heian Period (what a cool time it was!). It is based on the story of Orihime the weaver princess and Hikoboshi the cowherd. They fell in love and both forgot to do their work. So as a punishment they were separated and put on different sides of the Milky Way. They are only allowed to meet once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month.
from Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji by Hiroshige
One of the customs on Tanabata is to write wishes on strips of colorful paper paper called tanzaku (短冊） and put it up on bamboo branches.
It's not so easy to celebrate Tanabata in Germany, since bamboo isn't as available :)
Two years ago, I only remembered about Tanabata when it came. So we put up our wishes on the leaves of Wisteria instead (hahaha).
Last year was too hectic so I didn't organize it.
ドイツでは七夕をするのに、少し苦労します。
一昨年が当日に思い出して、笹竹がなく、短冊を適当に藤にかけました（汗笑）。
去年には忙しくてやりませんでした。
This year I found a branch of Bamboo in the morning (*found some at a garden on the way) and brought it to the art school. I also prepared paper for my friends to write their wishes and hang them on the bamboo branch. I hope everyone's wishes will come true :)
だから、今年こそはちゃんと短冊も準備しました。そして朝に笹竹を見つけて、学校に持ってきました。友人とワイワイとやりました。みんなの願い事が叶いますように。
My friends tying up their wishes. 友人が笹に短冊をかけるところ。