The annual Japanese star festival of Tanabata is celebrated with magnificent colors, craft making, and a tradition of writing wishes.
Tanabata (Evening of the Seventh) is based on the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi, star crossed lovers separated by the Milky Way. According to legend, each year on the evening of July 7th, Orihime and Hikoboshi are allowed to reunite for one night only. In Japan, Tanabata is celebrated by decorating bamboo branches with origami ornaments and tanzaku, poems or wishes written on small strips of paper.
Visitors will have the opportunity to write wishes and tie them to bamboo sticks in the garden. Garden tours will be offered at 12:30 and 2 p.m. The Tateuchi Community Room will be open for guests to enjoy complimentary iced green tea, and an art exhibit by Roosevelt High School students, featuring their stunning photography of the Japanese Garden.
Traditional Tea Ceremony presentations will be held at the Shoseian Tea House at 1 and 2p.m. A limited number of tickets are available at $10 for adults and $7 for youth. Tea ceremony tickets can be reserved by calling the ticket booth at (206) 684-4725.
Event admission is free with regular garden admission. Adults, $6; students with ID, youth age 6 – 18, seniors age 65+, and disabled, $4; children age 5 and under, FREE. Annual passes are accepted.
