“Tanabata” is known as the “Japanese Star Festival” and is usually held on the 7th day of the 7th month of the year. The festival commemorates two star-crossed lovers Princess Orihime and Prince Hikoboshi who could not be together on earth, but come together once a year in the heavens as stars. It’s a popular festival in Japan where people often write out their wishes on strips of paper and hang them on bamboo branches.

On July 7th, 2010, Sakagura Restaurant in NYC hosted Hakkaisan Sake Brewery for our very own Tanabata Matsuri. The standing style reception featured a special guest – Mr. Jiro Nagumo, the President of Hakkaisan Sake Brewery came to New York City for this event. Along with Mr. Namugo, Kumiko Kurosawa, Hakkaisan Brewery Representative, Chizuko Niikawa, event coordinator and Timothy Sullivan, event speaker were on hand to help introduce Hakkaisan to the many guests.

Guests of the Hakkaisan Tanabata Matsuri enjoyed Hakkaisan Honjozo, Hakkasian Tokubetsu Junmai and Hakkaisan Junmai Ginjo. In addition to these three wonderful sakes, Guests were also treated to a taste of a very special sake not for sale in the United States: Hakkaisan Junmai Daiginjo!

Sakagura provided delicious appetizers to pair with all the Hakkaisan Sake and guests were given a parting gift of a Hakksaisan Ochoko sake cup and a delicious cookie specially made for the event. The cookie was prepared by Misako Sassa and was in the shape of a magpie bird. Of course, it was the magpie that used their wings to build a bridge that allowed Orihime and Hikoboshi to to visit each other every year on Tanabata.

Between the great food, drink and conversation we think everyone enjoyed the relaxing Hakkaisan Tanabata Matsuri at Sakagura. Kanpai!