Have you ever seen bamboo tree branches that have been decorated in July ? It's a decoration for Tanabata, Star Festival in Japan. On July 7th, Many Japanese decorate Tanabata trees in thier homes and shops to celebrate the Star Festival. Children in Kindergartens always make some decorations for bamboo trees in this season.

This custom is from a Chinese folklore. The folklore says that two stars, Altair and Vega, love each other but they are separated by the Milky Way, and only one day onece a year, can they cross the Milky Way and meet each other. 7th July is that day. A romantic love story, isnt it ?

The Japanese decorate bamboo tree branches with colourful paper decorations.A special one is called Tanzaku. It is a simple paper strip but it is said that wishes will come true when they are written on Tanzaku. So if you see these decorations, you can read many wishes of Japanese people. Doesn't it sound interesting ?

I will tell you some typical wishes. Children often write wishes for their future: I want to become a professional baseball player, football player, nurse, teacher, florist, etc. Next are wishes for money and material things: please give me more pocket money, please buy me new games. Some are more serious: please don't have a quarrel, Mom and Dad. In shops or schools, you can see teachers' or customers' wishes. They are more serious: Good health for all my family, I want to have a wife, husband, child, good job, money, new house, etc. You can see Japanese desires through these decorations.
(12th July,1996)