Teru teru bōzu (Japanese: 照る照る坊主、てるてる坊主; literally "shine shine monk") is a little traditional hand-made 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.[1]
Teru teru bōzu became popular during the Edo period among urban dwellers,[2]
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."[2]
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.[3][4]
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.
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