OKINAWA

(Stripes Okinawa)

Tanabata, or Star Festival, is approaching on July 7.

According to the legend around Tanabata, two star-crossed lovers will reunite on this night as the Milky Way stretches across the sky. Traditionally, we celebrate this yearly reconciliation by decorating bamboo branches with ornaments and paper slips where we write our wishes. When you write a wish on a strip of paper and hang it on the branch, your wish is believed to come true. What a romantic legend it is, isn't it?

So, today's Japanese phrase is:

"Negaiwo kakemasho." = Let's make a wish. ("negai" = wish, "kake" = take/make/hang, "masho" = let's)

Why not celebrate the lovers’ annual encounter by making our own wish upon the two-lover stars? Your wish may come true!

Learn more about Tanabata here.

Stay safe and don’t forget to make a wish on July 7!

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