虎扑电竞

Tanabata is one of the prettiest times to be in Sendai, as the city is awash with the bright colours of large, beautifully handmade decorations hung on bamboo.

This year, the set designed and made by Tohoku University students is once again featured prominently downtown. Hanging near Fujisaki Department Store, the decorations are a culmination of nine weeks of work, during which the university's international and Japanese students folded thousands of origami and other ornaments that make up the decorations.

The annual project is led by Associate Professor Yuka Sakamoto, who teaches a class on Miyagi's traditional culture as part of the International Programme in Liberal Arts (IPLA). More than 80 students from 23 countries and regions were involved in making the university's decorations this year.

"Our theme is a celebration of the City of Trees, showcasing the four distinct seasons of Sendai," said Sakamoto. "The centrepiece with the Tohoku University logo features an Asian and a Western dragon, emphasising international unity and cultural exchange. It is also our way of wishing power, wisdom and good fortune to all students at the university and members of our community."

Around the corner from the Tohoku University decorations, in front of the Omachi entrance of Fujisaki's main building, is the department store's own set. With its theme of "Tradition, Now and Tomorrow," Fujisaki's decorations reflect a progressive style and also contain ornaments made by the university's students.

Some 30 exchange students on the Tohoku University Japanese Programme (TUJP) helped to create seven styles of ornaments with guidance from Fujisaki staff during a session on Japanese culture.

Tohoku University and Fujisaki Ltd. concluded a Comprehensive Collaborative Agreement in June this year, with the aim of making Sendai a more diverse and cosmopolitan city. Tanabata is the first project under the agreement.

Both sets of decorations described here - along with many, many others - will be part of the city's colourful landscape throughout the Tanabata Festival from August 6 - 8.