[Treasure Box of Women's Education] (27) Tanabata Festival
The Tanabata festival originated from a story told in jest by a man named Wuding of Guiyang in ancient times, who claimed that on the night of the seventh day of the seventh month, the Weaver Girl crossed the Milky Way to meet the Cowherd. This was later misunderstood and passed down, and the practice of offering various melons, eggplants, and sweets is called 'Kikkoden' (Festival of Begging for Skills).
* The 'man named Wuding of Guiyang' is thought to refer to Cheng Wuding of Guiyang. He appears in the 'Tanabata' entry of 'Xu Qixieji' (Continued Records of Strange Tales), written by Wu Jun of the Liang dynasty.
* 'Kikkoden' is a festival held on the night of the seventh day of the seventh month, where offerings are made to the Weaver Star to pray for improvement in a woman's handicraft skills.
Source: National Diet Library Digital Collections 'Dai Nihon Kokugo Jiten Vol. 1』
Source: National Diet Library Digital Collections 'Rekisei Josōkō: 4 Volumes, Vol. 4 』
Source: National Diet Library Digital Collections 'Treasure Box of Women's Education』
The procedure for the festival involves spreading cogon grass leaves, offering melons and fruits, and filling vessels with water to reflect the stars and pray.
Bamboo is cut to seven shaku in length and stood on the left and right, and seven threads, called 'wish threads,' are hung from the tips. Also, incense is burned and the koto is played to celebrate the festival.
In an ancient poem:
In the garden,
The sound of the koto offered without being played Reaches the clouds, Carried by the wind through the eaves
* 'Koka' means ancient poem.
* 'In the garden...' is a poem composed by Yamanoue no Okura. Reference: 'Kokka Taikan: Five-Phrase Index, Poetry Collection Section' 'Ukon, Ominaeshi, Sekidera Komachi, Shizen Hōshi, Taikai' (National Diet Library Digital Collections)
* 'Wish threads' Reference: 'Sea: Japanese Dictionary Vol. 1-4 (Tanabata)', 'Poetry Bookmark (Tanabata)', 'Haikai Saijiki Shiorigusa: Autumn, Winter, and Miscellaneous Sections, Expanded and Revised', 'Haikai Tedōmyō' (National Diet Library Digital Collections)
Author's Note: ● indicates characters that could not be deciphered. I will update this as new characters are deciphered or if I notice any typos or misreadings. For details, please read 'About Me / Disclaimer'. 📖