The summer tale of Tanabata

Tanabata, ("Evening of the seventh"), also known as the Star Festival, is a Japanese festival originating from the Chinese Qixi Festival. It celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively). image source: https://iemo.jp/81683

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There are many stories behind Tanabata, the most popular version is as follows; Once upon a time there was a beautiful weaver in the east of the Milky Way by the bank of Amanogawa ("River of Heaven"). She is Orihime ("Weaving Princess"), the daughter of Tentei ("Sky Emperor"). The lady's father loves the cloth that she weaved, so, everyday Orihime worked hard to weave it. However, the weaver was sad that she couldn't go out nor play, and fell in love with someone. Concerned about his daughter, The Emperor begins searching for a son-in-law.

Meanwhile, in the west of the Milky Way there was a young man, a cowherd who works dilligently. Emperor meets the rumored boy, and asked "Please marry my daughter by all means". Then, the two fell in love and get married. However, after marriage, the two who worked so hard have stopped working at all. The Emperor was frusturated and separated the two, he told them "If you work well like before, you can meet once a year, in the night of July 7". Therefore, the night of Tanabata is a romantic moment, and in recent years it seems to be recognised as lover's day.

On the evening of July 7 every year, wishes are wrapped in strips on bamboo leaves, and people have custom of praying to the stars.

http://sk-imedia.com/orihimehikobosi-7875.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanabata