Today is Tanabata, a Chinese-derived holiday about celestial lovers. It’s also the opportunity to write your wishes on special trees. The tree where I left my wish is our local supermarket. Mine says, “I hope I pass the Japanese language test” (日本語のしけんにごうかくしますように).
Repulsed by monotheism, I’ve recently discovered how much I enjoy Shintoism and any type of Japanese superstitions. If there’s a stack of cards close at hand where you can write a wish, well, why not do it? For last week’s JLPT exam, I not only left this note in my supermarket, but I also left some coins and a quick prayer at our local Shinto shrine.
I love this child’s wish below. When he’s big, he wants to be a hairdresser. What would you wish for? And where would you leave your wish?
Tokyo Moe 
I might also wish to pass that test! Waiting two months for results is brutal.
I think Riko is a girl’s name though. Usually.
Must run down to the supermarket and get in my request before they close.
Selena, did you make a request? Your right about Riko being a girl. What a lovely dream to make the world more beautiful, one head at a time.