令和7年７月７日
７が3つも並んでなんだかおめでたい✨
Today, July 7th, 2025, is a special day in Japan — it's Tanabata! The Star Festival!
It happens to fall on 7/7 in the 7th year of Reiwa, making it feel extra lucky! Here's a look at how we celebrated this magical day with the children at our nursery.
園では七夕会を開きました！
Let`s celebrate Tanabata!
A paper puppet show brought the Tanabata story to life!
七夕ってどんな日なのかな？
ペープサートを見ながら七夕の由来を聞きました。
途中、「織姫と彦星が結婚することになりました。」
という内容が聞こえると子どもたちから自然と拍手が起こり、
なんだか温かい気持ちになりました。
全く働かなくなってしまったことで２人が年に一度しか会えなくなったのは
悲しいけれど、心を入れ替えた２人。
会えた時はきっと嬉しさでいっぱいのことでしょう。
今日の夜、天の川で織姫と彦星が会えるようにと
保育園にある星をみんなで探し、集まった星を貼って天の川を渡れるようにしました★
きっときっと会えますように…。
We built a star bridge for Orihime and Hikoboshi!
みんなの願い事も聞いてみましたよ！
自分の願い事をじっくりみています♡
The kids carefully looked at their own dreams♡
こどもたち、保護者のみなさま、職員…
みんなの願いが叶いますように☆彡
Wishing all the kids, parents, and staff
a sky full of dreams come true!
＜おまけ＞
七夕と言えば笹に飾る色とりどりの短冊や飾り★
ひとつひとつにちゃんと意味があるんです。
短冊→五色の紙に学問や芸事の上達を書いて願う
三角つなぎ・菱つなぎ→裁縫の上達祈願
提灯→灯かりによる魔除け、願い事を照らす
他にもどんなものがあるか調べてみると、
「なるほど～！」と思うことがあって楽しいですよ☆彡
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Lucky Day for a Magical Tanabata Celebration
July 7th, 2025 — Today was a truly special day at our preschool, and not just because of the beautiful weather or the excitement in the air. In the Japanese calendar, this year is Reiwa 7 (for those unfamiliar with the Japanese calendar, each emperor’s reign is marked by a specific era name, and we are currently in the Reiwa era). It means today’s date is 7/7/7! What a rare and extra lucky combination! The number 7 is considered lucky in many cultures, and in Japan, seeing three 7s in a row made the day feel especially joyful and full of good fortune.
To mark this meaningful date, we held our annual Tanabata celebration—a beloved summer tradition in Japan that tells the romantic legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi, two stars separated by the Milky Way who are allowed to meet just once a year, on the night of July 7th.
The celebration began with a quiet sense of wonder as the children gathered to hear the Tanabata story. The lead teacher’s voice was soft and gentle, but every child listened carefully, enjoying the tale. When they finally heard that Orihime and Hikoboshi were allowed to marry and meet again, the kids couldn't hold back their joy and started clapping their hands.
Inspired by the story, the children eagerly set out on a mission to help the star-crossed lovers reconnect. We had hidden stars around the room, and together they searched, gathered, and built a shining “star bridge” to help Orihime and Hikoboshi meet across the Milky Way. Their excitement was absolutely heartwarming.
After that, the room filled with singing as everyone joined in cheerful Tanabata songs. One of the most touching parts of the celebration was when the children took turns explaining their wishes.
Of course, we also talked about the meaning behind all the colorful decorations we hung on bamboo branches as a part of Tanabata celebration. Each shape has a purpose:
-
Tanzaku (colorful paper strips) — Wishes for improvement in studies or skills
-
Chains and paper decorations — Hopes for creativity and growth
-
Lanterns — Lighting the way and keeping away bad luck
Learning these little traditions made the celebration even more meaningful. And we hope all our wishes come true!
