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Tanabata Star Festival – Japanese Calligraphy & Origami Workshop
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🎋 Celebrate Tanabata Festival With Us 🎋
Tanabata (七夕), or the Star Festival, is a cherished summer tradition in Japan—but it’s still a hidden gem compared to the famous Sakura season or Obon festival. Celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month, it’s a magical night when two celestial lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi, are said to meet across the Milky Way. Japanese families write their wishes on colorful paper strips and hang them on bamboo branches, decorating them with beautiful origami.
At Dear Asia, we’re bringing Tanabata to life with a hands-on workshop that blends culture, creativity, and mindfulness—perfect for students and curious minds alike.
Learn Japanese Calligraphy (Shodō)
Discover the art of shodō, or Japanese brush calligraphy. Whether you’re writing hiragana, kanji, or even Chinese characters (hanzi), our experienced calligraphy teacher will guide you through proper brush handling, stroke techniques, and the meditative flow of ink on paper. Writing with a soft-tip brush is a skill that takes patience—but it’s also deeply rewarding.
Make Origami Wishes (Orizome)
Learn to fold cute and simple origami designs using traditional Japanese washi paper. It may feel playful, like a childhood craft, but folding with focus is a form of mindfulness—turning paper into art, and thoughts into wishes.
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Cultural introduction
Tanabata, also known as the Star Festival, holds deep cultural significance in Japan as it celebrates the once-a-year meeting of two celestial lovers, Orihime (the weaver star Vega) and Hikoboshi (the cowherd star Altair), who are separated by the Milky Way. Rooted in a Chinese legend brought to Japan during the Heian period, Tanabata reflects themes of love, longing, and perseverance. Traditionally celebrated on July 7th, people write their wishes on colorful strips of paper (tanzaku) and hang them on bamboo branches, blending romantic myth with hopes for the future.
The festival also highlights the importance of nature, seasonal change, and spiritual expression in Japanese culture. The act of writing wishes and decorating bamboo trees is not just festive but also reflective, symbolizing human desire to connect with higher forces and the universe. Tanabata is celebrated across Japan with regional variations, parades, and elaborate decorations, showcasing the country’s ability to preserve ancient traditions while adapting them to modern communal identity.
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Bespoke event for you!
Dear Asia is a London-based event organiser specialising in creative workshops celebrating Asian cultures. With years of experience, our team excels at hosting engaging events for groups of 15-60 people in your office. We’re passionate about what we do, but our capacity is limited. If you’d like us to run an event for you, visit this page for more details and get in touch!
July 7 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm BST