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Teru teru bōzu
Japanese doll / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A teru teru bōzu (Japanese: てるてる坊主 or 照る照る坊主, lit. 'shine, shine monk') is a small traditional handmade doll hung outside doors and windows in Japan in hope of sunny weather. Made from tissue paper or cloth, teru teru bōzu charms are usually white, ghost-like figures with strings tied around their necks.[1][2][3] The dolls can also be hung upside down to hope for a rainy day.[citation needed]
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The words teru (照る) meaning 'to shine' and bōzu (坊主) referring to a Buddhist monk, the doll is said to represent a monk's bald head, which would shine during sunny weather. The doll therefore calls to a monk's magical powers to stop or prevent rain.[2][3] Traditionally, if the weather does turn out well, a libation of holy sake is poured over them, and they are washed away in the river.[4][5][full citation needed]
In particular, teru teru bōzu charms are popular among Japanese children, who are introduced to the charms in kindergarten or daycare through a famous warabe uta (nursery rhyme) released in 1921. Written by Kyōson Asahara and composed by Shinpei Nakayama,[citation needed] the song calls teru teru bōzu to bring back the sunny days, promising lots of sake if the wish is fulfilled, but decapitation if not. The nursery rhyme is usually sung by children as they make the doll.[1][2][3]
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."[6]