Teru Teru bozu

by - 3:38 AM


(Japanese: 照る照る坊主、てるてる坊主; literally "shine shine monk") is a little traditional handmade doll made of white paper or cloth that Japanese farmers began hanging outside of their window by a string. In shape and construction they are essentially identical to ghost dolls, such as those made at Halloween. This amulet is supposed to have magical powers to bring good weather and to stop or prevent a rainy day. "Teru" is a Japanese verb which describes sunshine, and a "bōzu" is a Buddhist monk (compare the word bonze), or in modern slang, "bald-headed"; it is also a term of endearment for addressing little boys.
Teru teru bōzu became popular during the Edo period among urban dwellers, whose children would make them the day before the good weather was desired and chant "Fine-weather priest, please let the weather be good tomorrow."
Traditionally, if the weather does turn out well, eyes are drawn in (compare daruma), a libation of holy sake (神酒) is poured over them, and they are washed away in the river. Today, children make teru-teru-bōzu out of tissue paper or cotton and string and hang them from a window when they wish for sunny weather, often before a school picnic day. Hanging it upside down - acts like a prayer for rain. They are a very common sight in Japan.



According to tradition, the use of Teru Teru Bozu serve to frighten Amefushi, the spirit of the rain. Amefushi did not allow to go play outside, was considered the enemy of children. Amefushi is actually not a bad spirit just feels the need to feel accepted by other children and would like to play with them, but since it carries with it the rain is always sent away. For this reason, takes revenge by teasing who kicked him out ..

The Teru teru bozu is the protagonist of a famous nursery rhyme Japanese (Warabe uta), which reads as follows:

Teru-Teru Bouzu, Teru Bouzu, ashita tenki ni shite o-kure.
Itsuka no yume no sora no you ni haretara gin no suzu ageyo.
Teru-Teru Bouzu, Teru Bouzu, ashita tenki ni shite o-kure.
Watashi no negai wo kiita nara amai osake wo tanto nomasho.
Teru-Teru Bouzu, Teru Bouzu, ashita tenki ni shite o-kure.
Moshi mo kumotte naitetara sonata no kubi wo chon to kiru zo.

And here's a video tutorial on how to make a teru teru bozu:


-source wikipedia, nanoda-

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