"Tsukiokure tanabata" - Celebrating the Star Festival a month late

You may be wondering why Tanabata decorations appear again in August or why so many Tanabata festivals are happening this weekend. That's because August 7th is "Tsukiokure tanabata" which literally means 'month delayed Star Festival'.

Tanabata was originally celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month in the lunar calendar, but its timing shifted after Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1873.  Although many official events moved to July 7th, plenty of rural regions continued following the old lunar rhythm, keeping Tanabata in early August.

Hokkaido is especially known for celebrating Tanabata on August 7th, complete with the charming custom of "candle gathering" ローソクもらい, where children sing a chant while visiting homes to receive candles or sweets My local shrine of worship, the famous Kawagoe HIkawa Shrine (pictured), celebrates 'Tanabata' on August 7th every year. Therefore, my family actually celebrates more on August 7th than July 7th. 

How about you?