Tanabata became popular among the common people during the Edo period

Tanabata, which has been celebrated since the Nara period, became one of the "Five Seasonal Festivals" during the Edo period. In addition to Tanabata, the five seasonal festivals are Jinjitsu (Jinichi) on January 7th, Jōshi (Jōshi) on March 3rd, Tango (Tango) on May 5th, and Choyo (Chōyō) on September 9th. The scene of people writing various wishes on strips of paper and decorating them on bamboo or bamboo grass is a typical summer scene, and Tanabata decorations also became popular during the Edo period.

In the early Edo period, Tanabata was an event held at the Imperial Court and for feudal lords, but as the spread of terakoya schools allowed common people to learn skills such as reading, writing, calligraphy, and abacus, Tanabata quickly spread among the common people. At the time, many wishes were related to skills, but nowadays, a variety of wishes are written on tanzaku paper.

I hope all your wishes come true!

Have you solved the mystery of "Why is Tanabata in Hokkaido in August and not July?" What will you all be wishing for this year? Domingo hopes that the wishes you have written on your tanzaku come true!