七夕 たなばた tanabata = evening of the seventh, is a Japanese star festival. 7 is already considered as a lucky number and 7/7 or 7th July is a special day in Japan. The seventh day of the seventh month of the lunisolar calendar celebrates the meeting of two of the brightest stars known as Princess Orihime (Vega in constellation Lyra) and Prince Hikoboshi (Altair in constellation Aquila). Tale has it that the two fell in love at first sight and soon after did nothing in life. So the Gods got angry and put a curse on them to be apart throughout the year and the great river (the Milky Way) would be their greatness obstacle. But luckily, once a year these two lovers can meet when a bridge mysteriously appears. On the other hand, when it rains, it means the Gods are angry with them. Therefore they cannot meet because it will cause the river to overflow. So they will have to wait and try again next year.
Despite its romantic connotation, modern day Japan generally celebrates it by writing wishes on a 短冊 たんざく tanzaku = small piece of paper, and hanging them on bamboo. The celebration differs across the region from hanging 紙衣 かみごろも kamigoromo = (wishes for good sewing) to 巾着 きんちゃく kinchaku = (wishes for good business).
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