Amanogawa (river)

The Amanogawa (天の川, literally "Heavenly River" or "River of Heaven") is the Japanese name for the Milky Way galaxy. While technically referring to the galaxy as a whole, the term is often used in a more localized sense, particularly when referring to the visible band of stars across the night sky.

The name Amanogawa is deeply embedded in Japanese mythology and folklore, most notably in the legend of Orihime (織姫, the Weaver Princess, identified with Vega) and Hikoboshi (彦星, the Cowherd, identified with Altair). According to the myth, these two lovers are separated by the Amanogawa and are only allowed to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month (Tanabata), when the skies are clear enough for them to cross the celestial river.

The Amanogawa holds significant cultural importance in Japan, appearing frequently in art, literature, poetry, and festivals. It is a symbol of love, longing, separation, and reunion. The Tanabata festival, centered around the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi, is a major celebration of the Amanogawa, with people writing wishes on colorful strips of paper (tanzaku) and hanging them on bamboo branches in the hopes that their desires will reach the heavens. The term is also used poetically to evoke a sense of vastness, wonder, and the beauty of the cosmos.

The perception of the Amanogawa's visibility has changed over time due to light pollution in urban areas. In many parts of Japan, seeing the Milky Way clearly requires traveling to more rural locations with darker skies. Despite this, the Amanogawa continues to hold a special place in the Japanese imagination and is a reminder of the enduring connection between humanity and the stars.