Tanabata Festival.

The bamboo leaves rustle,
Shaking away in the eaves.
The stars twinkle;
Gold and silver grains of sand.

Many,many,many moons ago Vega,the weaver princess was the most fairest of face in Heaven.Her beauty was beyond compare,celebrated in countless tales and ballads.Many a prince set his heart on capturing hers ...but to no avail. You see,Vega was into a bit of rough stuff.She'd set her sights on Altair the simple cowherd.A dark and moody strapping six footer who,it was rumoured,was hung like an elephant.One day they realised that they had a lot more in common than just mind blowing shagging sessions.They decided to get married.Vega's father,the King,wasn't too happy at the thought of his daughter,a Princess from the highest realm,marrying a cowherd but remembering his own simple roots,his father had been in plumbing, he decided to give the lad a chance.They were married on a hilltop shortly after with celestial paparazzi in tow.'And so they lived happily ever after' unfortunately is not the ending to this yarn.It would appear that Vega and Altair were so besotted with each other that one year after their nuptials they still hardly ventured outside.Vega had neglected her important magical weaving duties and Altair's cows wandered willy nilly all over the place unattended.The King wasn't a happy man.Cow pats everywhere and embarrassing tales whispered over a pint at the local of neighbours complaining about loud moaning and groaning emitting out all hours from his daughter's residence.He separated them to live on opposite sides of the River of Heaven,or The Milky Way as it's known in Japan and decreed that they would only be allowed to meet on the seventh day of the seventh month,once a year.It is rumoured the King died a lonely broken man sobbing into his pint every night.


Every August,Asagaya celebrates Tanabata or The Star Festival as it is also known.Magnificent, elephantine origami displays are erected up in the Pearl Shopping Mall.Cascades of colourful paper streamers float gently,giving the illusion that it is cooler than it actually is.Families stroll leisurely,taking in the vast kaleidoscope of psychedelic decorations adorning the lamp posts and shop fronts.Young Japanese ladies giggle shyly,wrapped in summer kimono,tottering along nimbly on traditional geta. shoes.The Japanese love their festivals and boy can they put on a great show.

"Don't look,Mummy!"screeches Bat Girl hunched over her tanzaku paper.(Coloured paper used during Tanabata)Bat Boy is busy writing his wish down on his own tanzaku paper whilst The Booby Slayer is going for the pictionary look on hers."And what are you going to wish for?"whispers hubby coming up behind and embracing me."Bugger off,"I laughingly whisper back.After hanging the paper with our wishes onto bamboo branches,a little bowing session  ensues to hopefully grab a deity's attention and for He or She to show favour on us.Waiting at the beer stall,we bump into my American friend and his parents who are visiting for the summer.Salutations are exchanged followed by reports on various sightseeing trips notched up so far."Oh.I looooorrve this place,"drawls friend's mum,"But I am sorry!I don't get the food.Too much seafood.Half of it not yet dead.Now I like chicken.I'm a chicken person"Screwing up her face to reinforce her opinion on the matter.A little frustrated my friend softly chides "But Mum,you won't even attempt to try it.How do you know if you like it if you won't even try it!"Enter Bat Boy carrying a large plastic carton filled with Takoyaki.'Tako' means 'octopus' and 'yaki' means 'grilled/barbecued' in English."Oh..this is delicious,"drools Bat Boy,"Want one?"he asks friend's mum who is not immune to the delicious aroma emanating from the carton."What is it,"she enquires suspiciously.Just as every adult in our group starts to answer "Octop....",Bat Boy interjects "Chicken...and it's absolutely delicious!" Friend's mummy's face lights up with delight,"Oh!Go on then.Let me try one.Just a small one"and pops one into her mouth.We wait with bated breath as her face at first shows surprise then rapture as her taste buds jump with glee."Now that's food,"turning to her son,"If you had just listened to me in the first place and got me a chicken dish...forget all this artsy seafood scene.I'm a chicken gal........Can I have another one,young man?Thank you! Where can we buy some more.This chicken is a bit tough but it is delicious.........."