"Tanabata Man" appears in Abeno. Holding a bamboo stick, he calls out for people’s wishes.

Translated from the original article at: http://abeno.keizai.biz/headline/503/

July 7th, 2012

The appearance of Tanabata Man in the Abeno ward of Osaka City.

On a road in front of Abeno Cues Town (Osaka City, Abeno ward, Abeno Line 1 ), a man appeared on the day of the Tanabata festivals, July 7th. Known as Tanabata Man, wearing a fox mask and holding a bamboo stick, he called out for people to write their wishes on tanzaku paper.

Tanabata Man's true identity is Yoshimichi Kirimoto (19), a part-time worker who lives in Abeno. "Because I've been hearing only bad news lately, my motive for doing this was born from my wish to brighten people's moods, one by one," explained Kirimoto. Until now, he was limited to requesting "free hugs" during Christmas time, exchanging chocolates on Valentine’s Day, etc. "Next, I'm going to put on a mask during Halloween and give out candy to kids," he added.

Attached to his bamboo stick are over 30 tanzaku with wishes written on them. It's said that the bamboo will be offered to the Seimei Shrine (Japanese site), located in the ward of Abeno.

On the same day, the Abe Seimei Shrine was decorated with kusudama, as the Tanabata festivals have gone underway.

  

Original text: 

阿倍野に「七夕男」登場－ササを持ち願い事を呼び掛ける

（2012年07月07日）

阿倍野に「七夕男」登場

あべのキューズタウン（大阪市阿倍野区阿倍野筋1）前の路上に七夕の日の7月7日、キツネの面をかぶってササを持ち短冊に願い事を書いてと呼び掛ける「七夕男」が現れた。

七夕男の正体は、阿倍野区在住のフリーター・桐本愛理（きりもとよしみち）さん（19）。桐本さんは、「最近暗いニュースばかりなので、一人一人の行動で変わることを伝えたかったことが今回の動機」と話す。これまで、クリスマスの時にフリーハグ、バレンタインデーの時にチョコレートをねだるなどの活動を行ってきた。「次はハロウィーンの時に面をかぶって子どもにお菓子を配る」とも。

ササには30以上の願い事が書かれた短冊が付けられた。ササは区内の安倍晴明神社に奉納するという。

同日、安倍晴明神社ではくす玉が飾られ、七夕祭が開かれた。