The tradition of celebrating Tanabata in this region originated more than 400 years ago, around the time of Date Masamune (1567-1636) who was the warlord of the Sendai Clan, but it came to be held in the current grandiose style only after 1928, the year of the Tohoku Industrial Exposition. Although the festival had to be suspended during World War II, it recommenced soon after the war ended with the aim of reviving the city, and developed into the greatest Tanabata event in Japan as well as a major tourist event of the Tohoku District. All kinds of attractions such as fireworks, parades and concerts are also featured during this festival.
It's said that tanabata's origin dates back to more than 2,000 years ago with an old Chinese tale. Once there was a weaver princess named Orihime and a cow herder prince named Hikoboshi living in space. After they got together, they were playing all the time and forgot about their jobs. The king was angry at them and separated them on opposite sides of the Amanogawa River (Milky Way). The king allowed them to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar. Tanabata literally means the night of the seventh, and it's also known as the star festival. It's believed that Orihime and Hikoboshi can't see each other if the day is rainy, so people pray for good weather and also make wishes for themselves.