Misawa Tanabata - lovers unite!

A long, long time ago...in July, we went to the Misawa Tanabata Festival. "Tanabata" means, "evening of the seventh," and is a festival that celebrates the meeting of two deities (who are lovers). As legend has it, Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the starts Vega and Altair) are lovers separated by the Milky Way. Orihime's dad got mad because after she fell in love with Hikoboshi she no longer worked as hard for him and he fell on hard times. So, he separated them by the dang Milky Way and forbade them to meet. They are only allowed to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. Story has it on this day every year, a flock of magpies make a bridge with their wings so that Orihime can cross the "river." It is also said that if it rains, the magpies cannot fly and the lovers must wait another year for a chance to be together. It was dry this year, hooray!

Traditions of Tanabata festivals vary regionally, but are generally observed by hanging large lanterns in rows above the streets. People also write wishes on strips of paper. And, of course, no festival is complete without street merchants and oodles of food!

Enjoy some photos of this year's festival!

Paper wishes

Baby daddy and baby 

This is the area right outside the main gate of base.

America!

Family selfie, duh.

Some of the floats were wrapped in plastic (in case of rain).

Crowded streets as folks walk through the lanterns.

Lantern streamers made from newspaper or something like it.

Random window display....just because.

 Requisite ninja poses.

Take II.

It's Takoyaki (octopus balls) time! 

Till next year, Tanabata!