Tanzaku
/taɴd͡za̠kɯ̟ᵝ/noun
A narrow strip of paper traditionally used in Japan for writing poems, wishes, or prayers, especially during Tanabata.
Did you know?During Tanabata, tanzaku are hung on bamboo branches with wishes written in colorful ink, linking everyday handwriting to a centuries-old celestial festival.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Old Chinese
短冊
“A compound of 短, “short,” and 冊, a set or tablet of writing slips.”
Early Medieval China
Middle Chinese
短冊
“Short writing tablets or strips, especially associated with literary and poetic composition.”
8th Century
Japanese
tansaku
“A Sino-Japanese term for a short writing tablet or narrow strip used for verse.”
Medieval Japan
Japanese
tanzaku
“A narrow strip for writing poems, reflecting the voicing change from s to z between vowels.”
Modern English
English
tanzaku
“A Japanese paper strip on which wishes or poems are written, particularly during Tanabata.”