Japan celebrates a celestial romance between two stars separated by the Milky Way

Culture
Japan celebrates a celestial romance between two stars separated by the Milky Way

Every July, Japan transforms into a landscape of colorful paper wishes to celebrate Tanabata, a festival inspired by the legend of two celestial lovers who are permitted to meet only once a year.

The Star Festival, or Tanabata, traces back over 1,000 years to the haunting legend of Princess Orihime and the cowherd Hikoboshi. Represented by the stars Vega and Altair, the lovers were separated by the Milky Way as punishment for neglecting their duties.

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