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Celebrate Tanabata with the Seattle Japanese Garden and The Wing

On Saturday, July 7, 2012 celebrate Tanabata, an annual Japanese festival, at The Wing and the Seattle Japanese Garden. A free shuttle will transport you between the celebration locations on the half hour from 1-5:30 p.m. Throughout the day, The Wing and the Seattle Japanese Garden will offer reciprocal admission to visitors. The Wing is located at 719 South King Street and the Seattle Japanese Garden is located in the Washington Park Arboretum at 1075 Lake Washington Blvd E.  Admission tickets may be purchased at either location.

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.

The Wing will offer crafts by the Drachen Foundation and PAPER from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and kinetic storytelling with Eth-Noh-Tec at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.

From 1-5 p.m. at the Japanese Garden enjoy crafts by Garden volunteers, calligraphy by Meito Shodo Kai, and nature-themed activities by the Washington Park Arboretum Education and Outreach Unit. Garden tours will be offered at 12:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. and Fujima Dance Ensemble will present a selection of traditional Japanese dances at 2:00 p.m.

For an additional $5 required ticket you may experience a tea ceremony in the Shoseian teahouse at 1, 2 or 3 p.m. Reservations are encouraged for the tea ceremony.

For more information on this celebration or to make reservation for the tea ceremony please contact the Seattle Japanese Garden at 206-684-4725 or visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/parkspaces/japanesegarden.htm

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Seattle Parks and Recreation

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