Today, July 7th, is Tanabata, the Star Festival, in Japan. I've written about the meaning of the festival and one of my interesting experiences on my other blog.Last Christmas, Wayne and I went to Matsumoto in Nagano. In Matsumoto, it's traditional to hang a pair of paper or wooden dolls under the eaves. The dolls are dressed in kimono and represent the couple forbidden to meet any day of the year except for July 7th. It is their story that is celebrated during this festival. It is believed that the wind that blows the dolls will take bad luck away.
The lovely little Matsumoto museum had a number of these old dolls on display. I've been saving the images up for today.
Happy Tanabata!
11 comments:
Wow, I can't get over the level of detail in some of these dolls - they really are spectacular!!!
Ya know, I learn more about my heritage from you than from my mom who is actually Japanese!
In the individual pictures they don't seem that big but the look pretty large in that last pic. And Bec is right some of them have amazing details. I really like that last couple, amazing detail.
They are amazing. I love that last picture. It's incredible. I would love to see it in person.
Those are some really cool looking dolls!!! I have never heard of that tradition before. I guess that they don't do that here in Nagasaki.
WOW! That's really interesting! The dolls are pretty cool too! ^_^
Wow, they are gorgeous! Have you ever made any yourself? I love them all, I think the wooden ones are my favourites though. But I really love the ones with the paper-bark looking legs too, oh and the news paper ones at the top. Oh my god, I would have been there taking photo's all day. Just beautiful!
What fantastic dolls - the detail in them is amazing!
What gorgeous tanabata dolls! That second pair is so simple and beautiful. Happy (belated) Tanabata! x.
I so love the traditions of celebration in Japan..this definitely being one I didn't know about until your post. These dolls are so gorgeous..I love the fact they come as individually designed in features and sizes! Thanks for a great post.
Just lovely-thanks for sharing
i want that dolls! wow! 7th July is really a special day!
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