七夕(Star Festival) at our shared house
We've just celebrated Tanabata (Star Festival) on July 6th at our shared house. The Star Festival is held on July 7th, to celebrate the meeting of the cosmic lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair), who are only allowed to meet once a year. The Japanese celebrate that day by writing wishes on tanzaku (small pieces of paper) and hanging them on a bamboo. We had a whole day of activities for more than 20 kids and adults, and I participated by selling gluten free almond cake at the event. Check out our fabulous day!!
Making origami and writing tanzaku for hanging on the bamboo tree planted in the garden.
Kids getting a chance to play with musical instruments from all over the world.
Singing songs of stars, wishes and love with live music by amazing musicians.
Little snacks made and brought by the participants for sale.
My gluten free almond cake!
Served with homemade whipped cream and wild harvested mint! At 300 yen per plate, and I sold 13 out of 15 plates!
Hula dancing by Mami chan, a hula dance teacher and flower essence therapist and her students.
Live music and entertainment by Yu, a super talented musician I've met twice at different transition town events before.
Another amazing live performance that got many of us clapping and dancing! See the little girl in the middle? She was such a natural dancer, moving rhythmically to the music. No surprise because she's the daughter of the two musicians in the band! ;)
And south Indian curry by a local caterer, The Curry Project for dinner!