The Tanabata decorations that are a summer tradition at the Palaceside Building made their appearance this week. Colorful streamers and bamboo branches for tying wish-bearing paper strips now adorn the central corridors and atrium on the first floor and first basement level, lending the building a festive air.
Tanabata, observed on July 7, is the one day of the year when the celestial weaver Orihime and the cowherd Hikoboshi are permitted to meet. The streamers symbolize Orihime's weaving threads, their trailing form once an expression of prayers for progress in weaving and the arts. The building has hung 27 large streamers from the ceiling, six of them magnificent pieces as long as 3.5 meters that once graced the Sendai Tanabata Festival. Mini bamboo decorations have also been placed in front of the shops and offices on the first floor and first basement level.
There is also a corner where visitors can write their wishes on paper strips, and lunchtime patrons were seen tying their handwritten wishes to the bamboo decorations.