Japanese Food, Culture, and the Tanabata Festival Essay Example

paid my bill and left, but I never received the shrimp that were supposed to be on top of the soba. The thing that puzzles me is that I never got them. My First Tanabata by Duncan Dixon * Read the two versions of my paragraph about Tanabata. * Which is for readers unfamiliar with Japan and which is for readers who know Japan? Version 1 Every July when the Tanabata festival arrives, I remember my first Tanabata. Tanabata is the Star Festival, traditionally celebrated in Japan on July 7. In certain cities, people hang intricate decorations from bamboo poles.

During the Tanabata festival in Hiratsuka, poles are decorated with papers that have written wishes on them. Despite my limited understanding of Japanese after living in Japan for nine months, I was fascinated by this event and decided to go downtown by bus. The downtown area was crowded, which led to several accidental collisions. While navigating through the crowd, I unintentionally brushed against the shoulder of a three-year-old girl who was with her mother. Surprisingly, without looking at me, the girl grabbed onto my hand, leaving me unsure about what to do next.

The sight of whose hand she holds fills me with fear, panic, and tears. If I were to let go suddenly, she might notice and become panicked as well. How would I explain myself if her mother were to see me holding her hand? The consequences could be severe – I could be arrested for attempted kidnapping. These thoughts race through my mind as I continue walking. Finally, after a few more meters, I find a way to release her

hand without drawing attention, blending into the bustling crowd and remaining unnoticed. Even now, the mere thought of what could have transpired sends shivers down my spine. Every July during the Tanabata festival, memories of that first Tanabata overwhelm me.

During my nine-month stay in Hatano, Kanagawa, I decided to visit Tanabata in Hiratsuka at the suggestion of my friends. Despite my limited Japanese proficiency, I took a bus ride to the downtown area. The streets were filled with people and as I made my way through the crowd, I often bumped into others. On one occasion, I accidentally brushed against the shoulder of a young girl who seemed to be around three years old and was accompanied by her mother. To my surprise, without even looking at me, the little girl graciously reached up and gently held onto my hand.

Confronted with an immediate dilemma, I pondered on the consequences. Should she realize whose hand she was holding, fear and tears would surely follow. Yet if I released her grip abruptly, she might look up in panic. Moreover, should her mother witness me clutching her hand, explaining the situation would prove futile and likely lead to my arrest for attempted kidnapping. These thoughts raced through my mind as I continued walking. Eventually, after a few more meters passed by, I successfully let go of her hand and seamlessly merged into the surrounding crowd without detection. Even now, the mere thought of what could have unfolded sends shivers down my spine.