Tanabata or Star festival is a beautiful celebration of how two stars ~ Altair and Vega .. meet on the milkyway
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On July 7th the Japanese celebrate The Festival of the Stars--based on the romantic legend of Tanabata. Paper wishes and origami decorations are hung from bamboo tress in honor of the occasion.
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Tanabata is a Japanese festival celebrated on July 7th every year.
It is known as the Festival of the Stars.
This festival is based on the Legend of Tanabataa and celebrates the meeting, just once a year, of two lovers, a shepherd (the star Altair) and a weaving girl (Vega). There is also a song about Tanabata. *******************************
THE LEGEND OF TANABATA
Two stars, Weaver Princess Star and Herd Boy Star were in love. The Weaver Princess Star was very good at weaving, and her father was a heavenly king. Although the Herd Boy Star was a boy of lowly birth, the king, kind-hearted, let them marry. But because they were in love so much, they forgot to do their work. The Weaver Princess Star did not weave the cloth and the Herd Boy Star did not take care of the herds of sheep. The king became so angry, that he decided they must be separated. They were told to live at the opposite sides of the Milky Way, the Sparkling River of the Heavens. They were only to meet on the night of July 7th, when they cross the sky.
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HOW WE CELEBRATE TANABATA
On the day of Tanabata, people wear kimonos. They write their wishes on beautiful colored, thin paper. They hang the paper wishes on bamboo trees, and decorate the tree with origami (e.g. paper cranes) and other special Tanabata decorations. It is believed that the wishes come true.
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<< Tanabata Festival >>
Star Festival
The Tanabata Festival is celebrated on July 7th and also called the "Star Festival".
We are told that once a year on the evening of this day, Kengyu (the Herds-boy star "Altair") and Orihime (the Weaver star "Vega") meet on the Milky Way.
The Original Tanabata legend began in China. It was the tragic but romantic love story of Orihime and Kengyu. Orihime (Emperor Tentei's daughter) was good at weaving and she wove clothes for gods every day.
One day Emperor Tentei chose Kengyu as her husband.
They fell in love at first sight, but they loved each other too much.
They were so much in love, they neglected their responsibilities and they did not work at all.
EmperorTentei warned them not to be idle, but they did not listen to him. As a result, gods' clothes wore out.
Emperor Tentei was furious. Orihiome and Kengyu were made to separate as a punishment. Emperor Tentei forced them to live on opposite sides of the Amanogawa (Milky Way). Orihime cried every day because the Amanogawa (Milky Way) was between Orihime and Kengyu and she could not meet him any more.
Emperor Tentei felt pity for her and said, "If you work hard, I will allow you to meet each other once a year. " They worked hard and prayed. On July 7th at night, a magpie appeared and spread its wings that became a bridge over Amanogawa. Orihime and Kengyu got their wish and were able to meet again!
Now, people write their wishes on Tanzaku (oblong pieces of colored paper). People make many other decorations with pieces of colored paper as well as Tanzaku and tie them on bamboo branches. It is said our wishes will come true if we pray to these two stars, Orihime (Vega) and Kengyu (Altair).
My Sincere thanks to Nicole2 for providing this information 
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