Japan Day Nine - Matsumoto

A magnificent day in Matsumoto.

Manhole Covers

Manhole covers from Matsumoto.  All featuring the gorgeous temari balls the city is famous for.

More Dolls from the Matsumoto Museum

Matsumoto Tanabata Dolls

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!