This week’s fact is about one of Japan’s most beautiful summer traditions. 🎋 Tanabata: The Star Festival Every year on 7th of July, Japan celebrates 七夕 (たなばた / Tanabata). According to legend, there were once two lovers: Orihime (織姫), a princess who wove beautiful cloth, and Hikoboshi (彦星), a hardworking cowherd. After they fell in love, they became so happy together that they neglected their responsibilities. Orihime stopped weaving. Hikoboshi stopped looking after his cattle. Seeing this, the Heavenly King separated them on opposite sides of the Milky Way. The lovers were heartbroken. Moved by their sadness, the king allowed them to meet just once each year, on the seventh day of the seventh month. But there was one condition. If it rained, the river of stars could not be crossed, and they would have to wait another year to see each other. For this reason, many people still hope for clear skies on Tanabata night. A Festival of Wishes Today, people celebrate Tanabata by writing wishes on colourful paper strips called 短冊 (たんざく / tanzaku). They hang these wishes on bamboo branches, hoping their dreams will come true. You might see wishes for: passing an exam travelling to Japan happiness and good health becoming better at Japanese Language Lesson 願い事があります。 Negai-goto ga arimasu. I have a wish. 日本に行きたいです。 Nihon ni ikitai desu. I want to go to Japan. 日本語が上手になりたいです。 Nihongo ga jōzu ni naritai desu. I want to become good at Japanese. Your Turn If you could write one wish on a Tanabata tanzaku, what would it be? Try writing it in Japanese if you can! 🇯🇵 Arigatou, Joe Sensei.

すみません！ Sumimasen I'm sorry! 今、妻とアデレードにいます。 Ima, tsuma to Aderēdo ni imasu. I’m in Adelaide with my wife. 明日、飛行機に乗ります。 Ashita, hikōki ni norimasu. I’ll be on a flight tomorrow. いいところです。 Ii tokoro desu. It’s a nice place. 最近、どこかいいところに行きましたか？ Saikin, doko ka ii tokoro ni ikimashita ka? Have you visited somewhere nice recently? どこに行きましたか？ Doko ni ikimashita ka? Where did you go?

What is your favourite Japanese movie? I love Love and Honor by Yamada Yōji. Have you seen it? How about The Twilight Samurai or The Hidden Blade? Each of these films is truly remarkable and I highly recommend them!! Let me know your favourite Japanese movie! I may find a new favourite!! Arigatou, Joe Sensei.

So sad of the results from the Japan vs. Brazil game today for the World Cup but what a game!

⚽ Japan Fact Friday — Captain Tsubasa and the Rise of Japanese Football In 1981, manga artist Yōichi Takahashi created a football manga called Captain Tsubasa. The story follows a young football genius named Tsubasa Ozora, who dreams of leading Japan to victory on the world stage. At the time, football was nowhere near as popular in Japan as baseball. Many Japanese children had never even considered playing football seriously. Then Captain Tsubasa arrived! ⚽ A Manga That Changed a Nation Kids across Japan became obsessed with the series. They copied Tsubasa's shots. They practised after school. They dreamed of playing for Japan. The impact was so great that many future stars have credited the manga for inspiring their careers, including: ⚽ Hidetoshi Nakata ⚽ Shunsuke Nakamura ⚽ Yuto Nagatomo Even international players such as Andrés Iniesta, Zinedine Zidane, and Lionel Messi have spoken about growing up with Captain Tsubasa. 🌏 Fiction Becomes Reality When the manga began, Japan had never qualified for a World Cup. Tsubasa's dream seemed impossible. But in 1998, Japan finally reached its first FIFA World Cup. Today, Japan regularly competes at the World Cup and produces players for major European leagues. A fictional dream helped inspire a real one. 🧠 Why This Matters Captain Tsubasa shows the power of stories. One manga encouraged an entire generation to believe: "Maybe Japan can compete with the best in the world." And eventually, it did. 🧠 Language Lesson ⚽ サッカーがすきです。 Sakkā ga suki desu. I like football. ⚽ サッカーが好きじゃないです。 Sakka ga suki janai desu. I don't like football. ⚽ ゆめがあります。 Yume ga arimasu. I have a dream. ⚽ にほんのだいひょうになりたいです。 Nihon no daihyō ni naritai desu. I want to represent Japan. 🫵 Your Turn What story, movie, manga, or anime inspired you when you were young? And have you ever watched Captain Tsubasa? Answer in English or Japanese 😊 See you next Friday for another Japan Fact Friday 🇯🇵✨⚽ P.S. Ocha and Chat is on this Sunday from 10 am Sydney time.