On the evening of August 22, 2026, the Reizei family—hereditary masters of the poetic tradition—held their Tanabata ritual, known as *Kikkōten*, at their historic residence in Kyoto’s Kamigyo Ward. The ceremony involved offering *waka* poetry and *gagaku* (court music) to the celestial lovers Kengyu (the Cowherd Star) and Shokujo (the Weaver Star), while praying for proficiency in the arts.

A man and a woman dressed as the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl sit on opposite sides of a Milky Way represented by a strip of white cloth, exchanging poems during the Reizei family's *Kikkōden* ceremony (Reizei Family Residence, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City).

This annual event of the Reizei family—descendants of the renowned poets Fujiwara no Toshinari and Fujiwara no Teika—was attended by approximately 100 disciples and guests. An altar known as the "Seat of the Stars" (*Hoshi no Za*) was set up in the garden, adorned with offerings such as five-colored fabrics, traditional Japanese musical instruments, and vegetables.

A man and a woman dressed as the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl sit on opposite sides of a Milky Way represented by a strip of white cloth, exchanging poems during the Reizei family's *Kikkōden* ceremony (Reizei Family Residence, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City).

Following a solemn *gagaku* performance, the *hikō* ceremony—a traditional style of *waka* recitation—took place. This year’s set theme was "Love at Tanabata." Amidst the flickering light of lamps, seven participants clad in traditional *kariginu* (hunting robes) and *keiko* (courtly women's attire) recited seven poems—including one by Ms. Takamiko Reizei: "As evening falls and dew settles on the reeds by the Heavenly River, the shadow of the magpie bridge drifts across, yearning for love"—using a distinctive, melodic intonation.

"Kikkōten"—a ritual involving the recitation of *waka* poetry and prayers for proficiency in the arts, held amidst flickering lamplight (Reizei Family Residence, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City).

The event concluded with an impromptu poetry gathering known as *Nagare no Za* (Seat of the Flowing Stream). Five pairs of men and women sat facing one another across a strip of white cloth representing the Milky Way, gracefully exchanging love poems.