７月の恒例行事といえば、7月７日の七夕。多くの人が子供の頃に、短冊に願いごとを書き、織り姫と彦星が七夕の日に天の川で出会えるようにテルテル坊主をつくって、晴れを祈ったのではないでしょうか。七夕には各地で七夕祭りも開催されます。外国人の友達を、七夕祭りに誘ったら喜ばれるかもしれませんね。そんな折に七夕を外国人に英語に説明し、短冊に英語で一緒に願いごとを書いてみましょう。

七夕ってどんな行事？

Tanabata is an event related to the stars. It is based on the legend that only once a year, Hikoboshi (Cow herder) and Orihime (Weaving Princess), two lovers, would be allowed to meet each other at the shores of the heavenly river. The moment would take place on the night of July 7th in the lunisolar calendar.

旧暦 7月7日の夜に，天の川の両岸にあり、夫婦である牽牛星（ひこぼし）と織女星（おりひめ）が年に一度面会ができるという伝説に基づいた星にまつわる行事です

Hikoboshi and Orihime were husband and wife. They were so deeply in love with each other that they ended up neglecting their duties. As punishment, they were separated and only allowed to meet one another once a year.

牽牛星（ひこぼし）と織女星（おりひめ）の夫婦は、あまりにラブラブで仕事をしなくなってしまったため、ふたりは引き裂かれ1年に1度しか会えなくなってしまいました

On the night of 7th July of every year, people write their wishes on colorful paper strips and hang them on bamboo leaves.

毎年7月7日の夜に、願いごとを書いた色とりどりの短冊を笹の葉につるします

If it rains on Tanabata night, the only chance when Hikoboshi and Orihime can meet in a year, the heavenly river will be flooded with rainwater. Both lovers will become unable to meet each other.

七夕は牽牛星（ひこぼし）と織女星（おりひめ）が１年に１度だけ会う事ができる日で、雨が降ると天の川の水かさが増し、織姫は牽牛星（ひこぼし）のもとへ行くことができなくなってしまいます

If Hikoboshi and Orihime are able to meet each other in that year without problems, the wish you had written on the paper strip will come true.

牽牛星（ひこぼし）と織女星（おりひめ）が無事に会うことができると、短冊に書いた願いが叶います

Unfortunately, the date of Tanabata is in the rainy season, so the night with clear sky is quite unlikely.

しかし、七夕は梅雨の季節に重なるので、なかなか晴れることがありません

In every region of Japan, there will be Tanabata festivals held a day before July 7th, and a day afterward.

7月7日前後には七夕祭りが日本の各地でおこなわれます

At Tanabata festival, there will be rows of stalls just like what you can see in typical temple festivals. Parades and performances will also be held at the venue.

七夕祭りでは、縁日のように模擬店が並び、パレードやパフォーマンスが行われます

七夕の歴史

Tanabata festival originated from the Chinese star festival called Kikkoden.

七夕祭は、中国の乞巧奠(きっこうでん)という星祭りに由来します

During the Nara Period, Kikkoden festival was conveyed to Japan as the event in Imperial Court.

奈良時代頃、日本にも伝わり宮中行事として行われるようになりました

七夕の星について

Orihime’s star represents Vega, the zero magnitude star of the Lyra constellation, which is located to the west of the Milky Way.

織女星は銀河の西側にある琴座の0等星のベガを指します

Hikoboshi’s star represents Altair, the first magnitude star of the Aquila constellation, which is located to the east of the Milky Way.

牽牛星は銀河の東側にある鷲座の1等星であるアルタイルをさします

The heavenly River represents the Milky Way, including our Earth and Solar system.

天の川とは、地球などの太陽系を含む銀河を指します

七夕の願いを短冊に英語で書いてみましょう

◇大人用

I want to lose 10 more kilos.　　　

10キロ痩せますように　

I hope I will get married this year.　　　　　　　　　

今年こそは結婚できますように

I wish for more progress in my career.

仕事で昇進できますように

I wish for success for my business.

ビジネスが成功しますように

I hope I will get a boyfriend.

彼氏ができますように

I want to win a lottery.

宝くじがあたりますように

I want increased salary.

給料が上がりますように

I want to afford a trip overseas.

海外に行けますように

I hope I will be bestowed with a child.

子供を授かりますように

I want my wife to become gentler.

嫁が優しくなりますように

◇子ども用

I hope to become a celebrity.

アイドルになれますように

I want to be popular among girls.

女の子にモテますように

I want more allowance.

おこづかいが上がりますように

I want to become a princess.

お姫様になれますように

I want to get smarter.

頭が良くなりますように

I want to win first place in the foot race.

徒競走で１位になりますように

I want somebody to love me in return.

〇〇君と両想いになれますように

I hope mom and dad will get along well.

パパとママが仲良くなりますように

I hope I will pass my entrance exam the middle school.

中学受験に合格できますように

I want to have a younger brother.

弟ができますように