 Most viewed - Sendai Tanabata Matsuri Festival 2009 仙台七夕まつり |
Held annually during Aug. 6-8, the Sendai Tanabata Matsuri is Japan's largest, grandest, and most famous Tanabata Festival. Commonly called the Star Festival, Tanabata Matsuri features large colorful, streamer decorations (called take-kazari).594 views
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You could write a wish on the paper and hang it on the bamboo branch. I wrote "Live long and prosper."309 views
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In the Shimin Hiroba was also this space.268 views
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Many girls (and kids) dressed in yukata (cotton kimono) came to see the Tanabata Festival. Her facial reaction was typical.257 views
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My YouTube video of Sendai Tanabata featuring the festival eve on Aug. 5, 2009 when they had fireworks and the morning of Aug. 6 when they were setting up the Tanabata decorations. 251 views
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Hip hop246 views
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The take-kazari bamboo decorations were marvelous. A myriad of designs and variety. Paper was the main material used to make all these decorations, unlike the predominant plastic found at other Tamabata Festivals in Japan.237 views
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On the morning of Aug. 6, the first day of Sendai Tanabata, shop owners started to set up their tanabata bamboo decorations from around 8 am to 9 am.232 views
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Tiny origami paper cranes. Guess how many paper cranes there are? Over 1 million.211 views
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My YouTube video of Sendai Tanabata featuring Tanabata decorations and seeing the evening entertainment (Awa Odori, Tanabata dancers, etc.) on Jozenji-dori during 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. 205 views
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This was my second time to see Sendai Tanabata. The first time was quite some time ago. I had high expectations, and I was not disappointed.201 views
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A short walk from Jozenji-dori is the Shimin Hiroba (Citizens' Square) where there was a stage for more entertaining performances by numerous groups. The program started at 6 pm and ended at 8:45 pm.188 views
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Inside Sendai Station's west side. A great greeting for visitors to Sendai during Tanabata Matsuri.159 views
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In Sendai, famous daimyo Date Masamune had the warrior and merchant classes observe the Star Festival. 158 views
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Eye-catching trio of yukata-clad girls.156 views
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The festival is said to have originated from a Star Festival in China. According to Chinese legend, east of the Milky Way there was a Heavenly King whose daughter worked as a weaver. However, when she married a herdsman, she quit weaving. 149 views
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This decoration had little owl-shaped paper balloons. These girls are blowing air into the balloons with a straw. Sendai Tanabata.148 views
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Many of the Tanabata streamers are quite commercial, with sponsors prominently displayed on the streamers.135 views
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The yukata has become quite modern. You no longer have to put your hair up when wearing one.133 views
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It's nearly impossible to define or describe an outstanding decoration, but you know it when you see it.132 views
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I arrived in Sendai on Aug. 4, 2009, two days before the festival, and Sendai Station here was already decorated with these huge tanabata streamers. Very impressive.131 views
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This angered her father who banished the herdsman to the other side of the Milky Way. He allowed the two to meet only once a year on the evening of the seventh day of the seventh month (according to the lunar calendar). 129 views
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On Aug. 4, two days before the start of Tanabata Festival, the shopping arcades already had these bamboo poles with ropes set up.129 views
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The pedestrian overpass connected to Sendai Station is also decorated.125 views
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Attaching the ball to the body of the decoration.124 views
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People who wear yukata know how to enjoy each of Japan's seasons.124 views
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Korean performers.122 views
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Bottom of the paper cranes.119 views
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This is the Hapina Nakakecho arcade. "Hapina" stands for "Heartful Amenity Place Interfaced Natural Arcade." It also refers to "happy." When the Japanese create a new name, they love puns.119 views
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These people are spreading the wings of the origami cranes.119 views
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During the Tohoku Industrial Expo in 1928, the forerunner of today's Tanabata Festival was held. Sendai merchants strived to uphold the tradition, resulting in today's elaborate and gaudy Tanabata decorations.115 views
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Pieces of bamboo hung from the ropes on bamboo poles.115 views
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Nishi Park in Sendai is full of people on fireworks night.115 views
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Sendai Tanabata Fireworks on Aug. 5, 7:30 pm to 9 pm. It was impressive. The theme was "Ring of Love."115 views
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According to the legend, the original date of Tanabata is July 7 according to the lunar calendar which is about a month behind the calendar we use today. Some places hold the festival on July 7 to match the original, numeric date.113 views
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Inside Sendai Station is a large information booth where you can obtain maps and pamphlets of Sendai and Tanabata Matsuri.113 views
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The shopping arcades on the west side of Sendai Station is where the Tanabata decorations are. The main arcades where you can see the streamers are basically on two arcade roads: Chuo-dori and Ichibancho-dori. They intersect at a T-intersection.112 views
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Local cheerleaders included these kids.112 views
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Tanabata decorations outside S-PAL, a shopping complex next to Sendai Station.112 views
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Tanabata decorations at the entrance of Sendai Station.112 views
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The weaver is represented by the Vega star and the herdsman by the Altair star. As a prayer to produce better arts and crafts, the Imperial Court and the warrior class paid homage to these two stars from ancient times. This practice spread to the masses.111 views
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Tanabata Matsuri is held in many parts of Japan, usually in shopping arcades to draw customers. The more famous ones are in Hiratsuka in Kanagawa and Asagaya in Tokyo.110 views
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It rained sometimes during the Tanabata Festival since the Tohoku region was still in the rainy season.109 views
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Setting up Tanabata bamboo decorations.109 views
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These decorations cannot be massed produced, all one of a kind.108 views
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One bamboo pole has several decorations and each one hangs on a rope.108 views
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This is Sun Mall Ichibancho. This Ichibancho-dori road is also straight, but consists of three seamless shopping arcades: Sun Mall Ichibancho, Brand Dome Ichibancho, and Ichibancho Yon-chome.108 views
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Female lover in heaven108 views
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The decorations can cost thousands of dollars or even tens of thousands of dollars (US$). (Hundreds of thousands of yen or a few million yen.) 107 views
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Origami paper cranes is actually one type of Tanabata decorations. Many decorations had paper cranes as you can see here.107 views
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Kids loved to jump and try to touch the streamers.107 views
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The streamers can also be quite hypnotizing if not captivating.106 views
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During the morning of Aug. 6 the first day, a team of judges wearing a white cap and yellow shirt proceed through the decorations for judging. Dressed in pink is the back is one of the three Sendai Goodwill Ambassadors (not Miss Tanabata).106 views
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Organizations who made the 1 million+ paper cranes. About 25,000 people from all over Japan from age 5 to 103 made over 1 million paper cranes. That's an average of 40 cranes per person.106 views
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This road was filled with people as well for the fireworks.105 views
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You can see Tanabata in various locations (smaller scale) in Japan such as Hiratsuka in Kanagawa held around July 7 and Asagaya and Fussa in Tokyo around Aug. 7.105 views
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The Chuo-dori arcade is about 750 meters long. Although this arcade is a straight and continuous road, it is actually consists of three seamless arcades named Hapina Nakakecho (ハピナ名掛丁), Clis Road, and Marble Road Omachi.104 views
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The crowd take pictures in front of this Outstanding Award decoration.104 views
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After the festival ends, many of these decorations are discarded. But some are donated to a shopping arcade in Fukuoka (Kyushu). 104 views
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Origami paper cranes.103 views
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People were amazed at these cranes. This is one type of streamer you won't see at other Tanabata Festivals in Japan.103 views
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By 10 am on the first day of Aug. 6, most all of the Tanabata decorations were set up. Large crowds soon followed.103 views
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The decorations are given awards such as the Gold and Silver Awards. The winners are announced later in the day, and the winning decorations are tagged with the awards. This is the Gold Award.103 views
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Write your wish on a paper tag and affix it to the bamboo branch.103 views
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Hoisting up the bamboo support pole.103 views
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Interview by local TV.102 views
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This large tanabata bamboo was being set up on Aug. 4.102 views
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Gold Award + Outstanding Award.102 views
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Silver Award. Besides awards for individual decorations, awards are given to the shopping arcade as a whole for the bext decorations.101 views
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It says "No More Hiroshima."101 views
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Sendai's shopping arcades were obviously designed for tanabata decorations. There are eyelets or hooks for ropes on the ceiling.100 views
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Peace message.100 views
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Another crowd favorite was these streamers made of tiny origami paper cranes. 99 views
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Hapina arcade99 views
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Attaching ropes. The decorations will later be attached to these ropes.99 views
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Closeups of one of the best take-kazari of 2009.99 views
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On the evening of Aug. 5, the Tanabata Festival Eve, a fireworks display is held at Nishi Koen Park. Here are many girls in yukata waiting for friends at Sendai Station to see the fireworks.99 views
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Kids writing their wishes.98 views
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No smoking in the shopping arcades.98 views
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This was the 34th Tanabata Decoration of Peace. Aug. 6, the first day of the Sendai Tanabata Matsuri, also happens to be the anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing.98 views
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Fujisaki's decoration is at the T-intersection between Chuo-dori and Ichibancho-dori.98 views
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The decorations usually arrive in huge plastic bags, especially the outdoor ones. This is the Fujisaki decoration.98 views
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Perhaps she wished for a rich husband.98 views
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The walls also have eyelets/hooks for ropes to support the bamboo poles.97 views
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Male lover in heaven97 views
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When the decorations are unpacked or unraveled, they are freshened up. 97 views
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Types of tanabata decorations.97 views
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Extravagant Award97 views
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Date Masamune96 views
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Marble Road Omachi96 views
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Tanabata appeals to all ages, from little kids to grandmothers.95 views
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Many decorations are really advertisements. But others have no ads and they are splendid. Keep in mind that the Tanabata Festival was started by local merchants, so it has commercial roots. It's not a religious event.95 views
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Regular-size paper cranes.94 views
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In Sun Mall Ichibancho, a traditional kami-shibai picture card story was told.94 views
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Drilling94 views
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Travel photos (Matsushima)93 views
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This one was clearly a crowd favorite, and not surprisingly, it won the Outstanding Award.93 views
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Bottom view92 views
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Tokushima Awa Odori dancers at Sendai Tanabata Matsuri Festival.91 views
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Ichiban-cho Yon-chome arcade is outdoors.90 views
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Sun Mall90 views
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Puppets89 views
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Also here is a cramped enclave of many little bars and shops.89 views
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At night.89 views
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For people outside Japan wanting to make tanabata decorations for a Japan event, let these photos give you some design ideas.88 views
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Where I was, Tokushima Awa Odori dancers performed first.88 views
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Koi fish made of tiny balls stuck onto the paper.88 views
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There is no longer a Tanabata Parade in the evening. Instead of a parade, there are various performances at several areas on the main street of Jozenji-dori during 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm every evening during Aug. 6-8.88 views
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North Korean abductee, Megumi88 views
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Calligraphy brushes even.88 views
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International decoration87 views
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At around 9 pm, the tanabata decorations are put in plastic bags or hung high so drunkards cannot reach and damage them.87 views
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Later in the morning at around 9 am, these decorations will be hung normally again.87 views
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Back to Hapina arcade87 views
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Milky Way streamers decorated the road.86 views
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Sun Mall Ichibancho84 views
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Local cheerleaders83 views
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In the early morning, the tanabata decorations still hang high up. 83 views
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Matsushima photos83 views
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Photos of sushi on a sushi shop's decoration.82 views
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I like these American-style costumes.82 views
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Different performances are given every evening during the Tanabata Matsuri. If you want good seats, go there early. Otherwise, it's standing room only.80 views
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Folk dancers for Tanabata Odori80 views
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More performers.80 views
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Slinky80 views
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International decoration79 views
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Taiko drummers78 views
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There was also a ballet play featuring the herdsman and weaver who meet in the heavens on July 7.78 views
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Hip hop78 views
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Local cheerleaders were great.78 views
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The herdsman and weaver meet in the Milky Way.77 views
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A few local high school bands also played.76 views
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Taiko drummers75 views
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This was the main performance area on Jozenji-dori.74 views
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The Orihime weaver.74 views
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