Tanabata Festival in Nishikoiso (Nishikoiso West District)

Tanabata Festival in Nishikoiso (Nishikoiso West District)
Tanabata is a traditional event in the Nishikoiso area of Oiso Town. Children carrying bamboo decorations go around the area, chanting as they smash the decorations into the ground to purify the area. Afterwards, they bundle the bamboo decorations together to make a portable shrine, which they parade around the area, and the next morning they float the shrine out to sea. It is said that this event purifies the area before Obon, and also serves as a prayer for rain to ensure a good harvest.