{"id":178220,"date":"2026-06-23T11:21:53","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T02:21:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/?post_type=event&p=178220&lang=en"},"modified":"2026-06-23T11:21:53","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T02:21:53","slug":"tanabata-at-hakozaki-shrine-26","status":"publish","type":"event","link":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/event\/tanabata-at-hakozaki-shrine-26\/","title":{"rendered":"Tanabata Festival at Hakozaki Shrine"},"content":{"rendered":"

A traditional Hakozaki-gu Shrine (Hakozaki-gu) ceremony held in conjunction with Tanabata. The event features the dedication of Daiji Kigo\u2014large-scale calligraphy performances offered in hopes of improving children\u2019s academic achievement, advancing the art of calligraphy, and supporting the cultural development of both Japan and Hakata.<\/p>\n

The highlight is the dramatic writing of giant characters on sheets of Japanese paper measuring more than 30 tatami mats in size. Dressed in white ceremonial robes, local community leaders wield enormous brushes approximately three meters long and weighing around eight kilograms, boldly inscribing a character of their choice. This powerful display of calligraphy has become a beloved Tanabata tradition in Hakata.<\/p>\n

From Jul 1\u20137, a tanzaku wish-writing station will be set up in front of the main shrine building, where visitors can write their wishes and tie them to bamboo branches.<\/p>\n

\"Tanabata<\/p>\n