Today is the beginning of the Tanabata festival in Sendai, Japan (the date of the festival follows a lunisolar calendar, so the date can be different for different regions). This festival celebrates the story of The Weaver Girl and the Cowherd. The Wikipedia page has more about it, but the story basically goes that the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd meet, fall in love and marry. They neglected their duties, so the Weaver Girls' father, the Sky King, banned them from seeing each other.

The Weaver Girl was upset by this, and begged her father to let her see her husband. The Sky King agreed, but stipulated that they could only meet once a year. When the time came for them to see each other they found that they were on opposite sides of a bridgeless river. The Weaver Girl cried so much that a group of magpies took pity on her and made a bridge with their wings, so she could cross the river and be with her husband.

Since this is a "star festival", you can look in the sky and see the lovers, separated by the Milky Way.

Tiny Silver Star Wish Bracelet by lilyloveslola

Have a nice evening everyone!

Japan Treasury

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you've all had a nice day, including those of you who went back to work after the weekend.

One of my latin quote postcards was featured in a Treasury, which of course then made me go and see what other Treasuries are around at the moment. There's some very beautiful ones with lots of spring themes, but my eye was caught by Big In Japan, a Treasury all about Japanese things.

Furoshiki Japanese Fabric by pannkoneninngyou

Ceramic Sake Cups by sewZinski

If these two images strike a chord with you then definitely go and look at the rest of the Treasury! You'll love it.

Have a nice evening everyone!