Casual — to friend
Cultural · Seasonal
You
短冊に願い事を書いてみましょう！
たんざくにねがいごとをかいてみましょう！
Let's write our wishes on the tanzaku strips!
Romaji: Tanzaku ni negaigoto wo kaite mimashō! / Reply Romaji: Ii ne! Nani wo kakō ka...
Reply
いいね！何を書こうか…
いいね！なにをかこうか…
Sounds fun! What should I wish for...
Gesture & etiquette
Present a colorful tanzaku strip with a brush or fine-tip pen; writing vertically (top to bottom) is traditional; tie the finished strip to bamboo with a gentle knot; the act of choosing words thoughtfully is itself part of the ritual.
Tanabata (七夕, July 7) celebrates the legendary meeting of star deities Orihime and Hikoboshi across the Milky Way. Wishes on colored paper strips (短冊, tanzaku) are hung on bamboo branches. Colors carry meaning: green (health), blue (wisdom), yellow (friendship), red (sincerity), purple (longevity). Major Tanabata festivals in Sendai (August) and Hiratsuka are spectacular.