The story of Tanabata dates back more than 2,000 years and is based on an ancient Chinese tale that has since become part of Japanese tradition. Once upon a time, there was a weaving princess named Orihime, the daughter of the King of Heaven, and a cowherding prince named Hikoboshi. They lived peacefully and industriously along the celestial river of the Milky Way. After the two met and fell in love, they began to neglect their work: Orihime stopped weaving and Hikoboshi allowed his cows to roam the heavens. This angered the king, who…