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Japan
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News |
June 28, 2003 Pin Releases
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Star Festival 2003
Customers draw their packet from the 'lucky draw' box without knowing what is inside. For the lucky few who got Minnie, inside there was a coupon to exchange for the Mickey pin that fits together with the Minnie pin. Coating type pins, but very nicely done. Retail 300 yen |
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Tanabata (or Star Festival) is nowadays celebrated
on July 7th, although some parts of the country still celebrate in August/September,
which using a lunar calendar is when the 7th day of the 7th month falls.
Below is an edited version story, published fully at http://www2.gol.com/users/stever/orihime.htm In ancient Japan, members of royalty were, of course, associated with the heavens; Tentei (the emperor) being centered at the North Pole. One day, the emperor's daughter, Orihime, was sitting beside the river of heaven (the Milky Way). She had been weaving because her father, the emperor loved the beautiful clothes that she made. On this particular day, she was very sad because she realized that she had been so busy that she didn't have time to fall in love. Her father, Tentei, the ruler of the heavens, felt sorry for her and arranged a marriage with Kengyuu (who lived across the river/Milky Way). Their marriage was one of sweetness and happiness from the start; and everyday thereafter they grew happier and happier. But Tentei became very angry, because in spending so much time in her happy marriage, Orihime was neglecting her weaving. Tentei decided to separate the couple, so he placed them back in their original places, separated by the Milky Way. On only one night of the year would he allow them to meet, the 7th day of the 7th month. Every year on that day, from the mouth of the river (the Milky Way), the boatman (of the moon) comes to ferry Orihime over to her beloved Kengyuu. But if Orihime has not done her weaving to the best of her skills and ability, Tentei may make it rain. When it rains, the boatman will not come (because the river is flooded). However, in such a case, Kasasagi (a group of magpies) may still fly to the Milky Way to make a bridge for Orihime to cross. Related to this legend, ancient Japanese celebrated the festival of Tanabata on the 7th day of the 7th month each year (lunar calendar). The 7th day of the 7th month generally falls in August or September in the Gregorian calendar. At this time of year, of course, the constellations of Lyra and Aquila are prominent in the evening sky with their major stars (Vega and Altair) separated by the Milky Way. The 7th day of the 7th month also, of course, finds a waxing crescent moon reaching its first quarter. If it is not raining, both Orihime Boshi (Vega) and Kengyuu (Altair) are quite conspicuous at the time of the Tanabata festival. Tanabata may be translated as "weaving with the loom (bata) placed on the shelf (tana)", and the festival celebrates improvement of technical skill and ability. In ancient Japan, people wished that Orihime would hone her skills and work hard so that she could meet Kengyuu. In modern celebrations of Tanabata, people throughout Japan write wishes (generally for themselves or relatives) to the kami (deity) Orihime on colorful strips of paper. On the evening of Tanabata, they tie these paper wishes to freshly cut bamboo. End note: unfortunately for Orihime and Kengyuu, July 7th is in the middle of Japan's rainy season! |
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Baseball Series
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Mickey
Ball is on a swinging arm Retail 800 yen |
Pete
No whistles and bells, just a glossy background Retail 700 yen |
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Donald
Batting arm & bat are on a spring Retail 800 yen |
Goofy
Ball Spins Retail 800 yen |
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Jeweled Princess
Hearts
Retail 700 yen each |
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License Plate Series
LE 2000 ~ Retail 700 yen each |
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Many many thanks to Janelle for the scans!!!
