Today (July 7) is Tanabata in Japan. First, let’s see the story of Tanabata.
According to Chinese legend, a god separated a pair of stars that were lovers. Because the Weaver (Vega) was so lovesick for the Cowherd (Altair), she neglected her weaving, so the god put the Milky Way between them. The only chance they have to see each other is on the night of July 7. The Star Festival, Tanabata, is based on this legend.
Unfortunately, it is raining today, so we will not see the beautiful Milky Way tonight.

In Japan, Tanabata has been held since the Edo period. People write their wishes on strips of colored paper, hang them on the branches of leafy bamboo stems and put them outside at night.
Our students learning Japanese language here at NILS learned a song of Tanabata.

Here are our students’ wishes.


Wishing for his family’s health and his own success in the future.


He wants to go to a college in Japan, and then start his own business. He wants to be rich!


Lots of wishes of our students!

July 7th News, from NILS Japanese language school.