| It is thought that tanabata originated as the Japanese traditional festival in which people pray for a good harvest to the spirits of ancestors (Bon festival) merged with Kikkoden (Kikoden), a festival imported from China in which women pray for the progress of sewing, and the Buddhist festival of Urabon-e (Bon festival). |
日本古来の豊作を祖霊に祈る祭(お盆)に、中国から伝来した女性が針仕事の上達を願う乞巧奠（きっこうでん/きこうでん）や佛教の盂蘭盆会（お盆）などが習合したものと考えられている。 |