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{{Short description|Japanese doll}} |
{{Short description|Japanese doll}}{{Italic title}}{{More citations needed|date=August 2015}} |
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{{More citations needed|date=August 2015}} |
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{{Italic title}} |
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[[Image:teruterubouzu.jpg|thumb|right|''Teru teru bōzu'' dolls]] |
[[Image:teruterubouzu.jpg|thumb|right|''Teru teru bōzu'' dolls]] |
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A {{Nihongo||てるてる坊主 {{lang|en|or}} 照る照る坊主|'''''teru teru bōzu'''''|{{lit|shine, shine monk}}|lead=yes}} 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'' [[Talisman|charms]] are usually white, [[ghost]]-like figures with strings tied around their necks.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Salupen |first=Mark |date=2019-08-03 |title=Understanding 'teru teru bōzu,' the ghost-like charms in 'Weathering With You' |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2019/08/03/language/understanding-teru-teru-bozu-ghost-like-charms-feature-weathering/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210306101626/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2019/08/03/language/understanding-teru-teru-bozu-ghost-like-charms-feature-weathering/ |archive-date=2021-03-06 |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=[[The Japan Times]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Kazemi |first=Anisa |date=2022-06-15 |title=Japanese Traditions: Teru Teru Bozu |url=https://savvytokyo.com/japanese-traditions-teru-teru-bozu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531162254/https://savvytokyo.com/japanese-traditions-teru-teru-bozu/ |archive-date=2024-05-31 |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Savvy Tokyo |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=McGee |first=Oona |date=2016-06-21 |title=What is Teru Teru Bozu? The tragic history behind the Japanese fine weather doll |url=https://soranews24.com/2016/06/21/what-is-teru-teru-bozu-the-tragic-history-behind-the-japanese-fine-weather-doll/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531162251/https://soranews24.com/2016/06/21/what-is-teru-teru-bozu-the-tragic-history-behind-the-japanese-fine-weather-doll/ |archive-date=2024-05-31 |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=SoraNews24 |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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A {{Nihongo||てるてる坊主 {{lang|en|or}} 照る照る坊主|'''''teru teru bōzu'''''|literally "shine shine monk"|lead=yes}} is a small traditional handmade doll made of white paper or cloth that [[Japan]]ese farmers began hanging outside of their window by a string. This [[talisman]] is supposed to have magical powers to bring good weather and to stop or prevent a [[rain]]y day. ''Teru'' is a Japanese verb which describes sunshine, and a ''bōzu'' is a [[Buddhist monk]] (compare the word [[wikt:bonze|bonze]]), or in modern slang, "bald-headed"; ''bōzu'' is also used as a term of endearment for addressing little boys.<ref>''O-Lex Japanese–English Dictionary'', Obunsha, 2008. pp. 1681—2.</ref> |
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The words ''teru'' {{Nihongo|2=照る|4=}} meaning 'to shine' and ''bōzu'' {{Nihongo|2=坊主|4=}} 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.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> 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.<ref>''[[Daijirin]]''</ref><ref>''[[Kōjien]]''</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=August 2015}} |
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| ⚫ | ''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."<ref name="jstor">{{cite journal | title=Weather Watching and Emperorship | author=Miyata, Noboru | journal=Current Anthropology |date=August 1987 | volume=28 | issue=4 | pages=S13–S18 | doi=10.1086/203572 | jstor=2743422 | issn=0011-3204| doi-access=free }}</ref> |
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In particular, ''teru teru bōzu'' charms are popular among Japanese children, who are introduced to the charms in kindergarten or daycare through [[Warabe uta#Teru-teru-bōzu|a famous ''warabe uta'' (nursery rhyme) released in 1921]]. {{Cspan|text=Written by Kyōson Asahara and composed by [[Shinpei Nakayama]],|date=May 2024}} 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.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> |
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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.<ref>''[[Daijirin]]''</ref><ref>''[[Kōjien]]''</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=August 2015}} Today, children{{who|date=April 2020}} 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 as a [[prayer]] for rain. They are a very common [[superstition]] in Japan. |
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| ⚫ | ''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."<ref name="jstor">{{cite journal | title=Weather Watching and Emperorship | author=Miyata, Noboru | journal=Current Anthropology |date=August 1987 | volume=28 | issue=4 | pages=S13–S18 | doi=10.1086/203572 | jstor=2743422 | issn=0011-3204| doi-access=free }}</ref> |
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There is a famous ''[[warabe uta]]'' associated with ''teru teru bōzu'', written by Kyoson Asahara and composed by [[Shinpei Nakayama]], that was released in 1921. |
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=== History === |
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==Possible Origins== |
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There are multiple plausible origin theories for the Teru Teru Bõzu that hold true to historical practices, yet none have been proven to be the true origin. |
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The most common story of origin and the one that is known by most Japanese people is the story of the ‘weather monk’. Long ago there supposedly was a village that was constantly drowned in rain which ruined their crops. One day, a monk promised the villagers that he could clear the skies and bring good weather for more fruitful farming. But when the rains continued after the monk made his promise, the villagers decapitated him out of spite for his lies. |
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This story certainly seems plausible and hints at cultural practices from much earlier in prehistoric Japanese history. Some of the oldest Japanese historical records of the era of the earliest Japanese emperors and archaeological digs in places like [[Asuka, Nara]] as well as other places, show evidence of human and animal sacrificial practices pertaining to the weather. The ancient practice of sacrificing humans and animals like horses or cows to river gods and sacrificing virgin women and fortune-bearers to placate sea gods in times of rough boating conditions. |
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Another theory of origin finds its roots in Shintoism in its connection with Hiyoribo, a [[Yōkai]] that appears in mountainous areas during summer days filled with sun. Using [[Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki]] (100 Demons of Past and Present), a Hiyoribo appears standing in the form of a bald monk amongst the ascending Hitachi mountains (see image below). Many Japanese regions in around the middle of the [[Shōwa era]] referred to the Teru Teru Bõzu as ‘Hiyori Bõzu’, showing that the two are somehow connected, though sources vary on what the connection is. |
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Whichever theory is the true origin, the tradition of weather-watchers and the Hiyorimi culture (rituals of weather-watching) is traced back with certainty by scholars to the [[Heian period]] (749-1185), and continued through the [[Edo period]] (1603-1867).<ref>Ozaki, Orijo. “てるてる坊主・照々法師・日和坊主.” 日本玩具博物館, https://japan--toy--museum-org.translate.goog/archives/167?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc. </ref> |
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<ref>Kawagoe, Aileen. “Tracking down the Origins of the Teru Teru Bozu (てるてる坊主) Sunshine Doll Tradition.” JAPANESE MYTHOLOGY & FOLKLORE, 26 Apr. 2013, https://japanesemythology.wordpress.com/tracking-down-the-origins-of-the-teru-teru-bozu-%E3%81%A6%E3%82%8B%E3%81%A6%E3%82%8B%E5%9D%8A%E4%B8%BB-sunshine-doll-tradition/. </ref> |
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==Edō Period== |
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''[[Teru teru bōzu]]'' appears to have been hanging in ''[[Japan]]'' by the middle of the ''[[Edo era]]''. In ''[["Kiyushoran"]]'' (an encyclopaedia book about cultures), it is stated that after facial pieces were done, Teru Teru Bozu is tossed into a river with a bottle of sacred ''[[sake]]''. Additionally, there is a description that reads, "Despite heavy rain, I attended a shrine to pray for sunlight tomorrow" in the third volume of "''[[Kagero Diary]]''," a renowned work of Japanese literature that is diary writing. I had assumed that nobody would go there on such a day, but I was informed by an unidentified person that "If you make a girl doll and dress it in hand-made clothes, the weather will become fine tomorrow. Although I could not believe it, I decided to try it and sewed silk clothes. However, I could not understand why this doll works miracles. God only knows whether tomorrow is fine or not. Indeed the doll's white face and clothes remind me of god, but I cannot still believe the miraculous power in the doll." Some scholars believe that this description has a relationship with 掃晴娘. |
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== Pop Culture == |
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Within [[Japanese popular culture|Japanese pop culture]] the teru teru bōzu is an iconic reoccurring figure of [[Japanese folklore]] which is often times portrayed in multiple forms of Japanese media. The teru teru bōzu has appeared in numerous [[anime]] such as the 2019 [[Makoto Shinkai]] film “[[Weathering with You]]<ref>https://twitter.com/gkidsfilms/status/1299429041670324231?lang=bg</ref>” and the “[[Love Live! School Idol Project|Love Live]]<ref>https://twitter.com/skaharumi/status/1177415529801236481</ref>”, franchise. Teru teru bōzu has also appeared in global hit [[Video game|videogames]] such as [[Ghostwire: Tokyo]]<ref>https://twitter.com/playghostwire/status/1528737521508696065</ref> as one of the many [[Yōkai|yokai]] enemies that the player must defeat. |
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[[Image:EggxQFnVoAAYpek.jpg|thumb|right|''Teru teru bōzu'' in “Weathering with You]] |
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== Nursery Rhyme == |
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While arguably disturbing in content, the [[nursery rhyme]] “teru teru bouzu” is often sung and performed by Japanese school children. |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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|+ Teru Teru Bouzu Lyrics |
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! Japanese Lyrics !! Romaji !! English Lyrics |
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| てるてるぼうず、てるぼうず || Teru-teru-bōzu, teru bōzu || Teru-teru-bozu, teru bozu |
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| 明日天気にしておくれ || Ashita tenki ni shite o-kure || Make tomorrow a sunny day |
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| いつかの夢の空のように || Itsuka no yume no sora no yō ni || Like the sky in a dream sometimes |
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| 晴れたら金の鈴あげよ || Haretara kin no suzu ageyo || If it’s sunny I’ll give you a golden bell |
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| てるてるぼうず、てるぼうず || Teru-teru-bōzu, teru bōzu || Teru-teru-bozu, teru bozu |
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| 明日天気にしておくれ || Ashita tenki ni shite o-kure || Make tomorrow a sunny day |
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| 私の願いを聞いたなら || Watashi no negai wo kiita nara || If you make my wish come true |
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| 甘いお酒をたんと飲ましょ || Amai o-sake wo tanto nomasho || We’ll drink lots of sweet sake |
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| てるてるぼうず、てるぼうず || Teru-teru-bōzu, teru bōzu || Teru-teru-bōzu, teru bōzu |
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| 明日天気にしておくれ || Ashita tenki ni shite o-kure || Make tomorrow a sunny day |
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| それでも曇って泣いてたら || Sorete mo kumotte naitetara || But if the clouds are crying |
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| そなたの首をちょんと切るぞ || Sonata no kubi wo chon to kiru zo || Then I’ll sever your head off |
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| Example || Example || Example |
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| Example || Example || Example |
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== |
== History == |
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The tradition of weather-watchers and a rich folk culture of ''hiyorimi'' {{Nihongo|2=日和見}} can be traced with certainty to the [[Heian period]] (749–1185) continuing through the [[Edo period]] (1603–1867). ''Teru teru bōzu'' weather-watching practice tradition originated and was adapted from a Chinese practice during the Heian period. The practice, called ''saoqing niang'' ({{Zh|t=|labels=no|c=掃晴娘}}) in China, involved putting the ''teru teru bōzu'' on the end of a broom to sweep good spirits your way, and rather than ''bōzu'' being a monk, but a young girl with a broom.<ref name=":3">''O-Lex Japanese–English Dictionary'', Obunsha, 2008. pp. 1681—2.</ref> As the story unfolds, a girl was sacrificed to save the city during a heavy rainfall by ascending symbolically to the heavens and sweeping rain clouds from the sky. Since then, the people have commemorated her by making paper cutouts of her and hanging them outdoors in the hopes of good weather.{{Cn|date=December 2023}} |
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A ''[[teru teru bōzu]]'' is very easy to make. Prepare two square pieces of cloth or ''[[tissue paper]]'' that are both the same size, then secure them together with a ''[[rubber band]]''. Wrap the other piece of cloth around the ball-shaped head made from one of the cloth pieces and twist it to form the doll's head. Finally, secure the head in place using the rubber band. |
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''Teru teru bōzu'' as a Japanese practice seems to have originated from the similarity between [[origami]] dolls and names described in the literature in the middle of the Edo period. A reference to ''teru teru bōzu'' is written in ''Kiyū Shōran'' {{Nihongo|2=嬉遊笑覧}} by Nobuyo Kitamura, a scholar of Japanese classical literature in 1830. It is written, "If the weather becomes fine, I write my pupils on the paper, offer ''sake'' to the gods, and pour it into the river."<ref name=":3" /> |
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[[File:E381a6e3828be381a6e3828be59d8ae4b8bb.jpg.webp|thumb|Teru teru bōzu]] |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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{{Portal|Japan}} |
{{Portal|Japan}} |
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*[[Ikeda, Nagano]] – a town |
*[[Ikeda, Nagano]] – a town in [[Nagano Prefecture]], Japan, whose [[mascot]] is designed in the motif of ''teru teru bōzu''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-25 |title=てるみん・ふ～みん |url=https://www.yurugp.jp/jp/vote/detail.php?id=00000481 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117215134/https://www.yurugp.jp/jp/vote/detail.php?id=00000481 |archive-date=2021-01-17 |access-date=2020-09-25 |website=ゆるキャラグランプリ2020 |language=ja}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{ |
* {{Commons-inline}} |
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* [https://japanesemythology.wordpress.com/tracking-down-the-origins-of-the-teru-teru-bozu-%E3%81%A6%E3%82%8B%E3%81%A6%E3%82%8B%E5%9D%8A%E4%B8%BB-sunshine-doll-tradition/ Tracking down the origins of the teru teru bozu (てるてる坊主) sunshine doll tradition] |
* [https://japanesemythology.wordpress.com/tracking-down-the-origins-of-the-teru-teru-bozu-%E3%81%A6%E3%82%8B%E3%81%A6%E3%82%8B%E5%9D%8A%E4%B8%BB-sunshine-doll-tradition/ Tracking down the origins of the teru teru bozu (てるてる坊主) sunshine doll tradition] |
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* [http://hyakumonogatari.com/2011/12/22/what-are-teruteru-bozu/ What are Teruteru Bōzu?] |
* [http://hyakumonogatari.com/2011/12/22/what-are-teruteru-bozu/ What are Teruteru Bōzu?] |
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* [https://japan--toy--museum-org.translate.goog/archives/167?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc/ Japan Toy Museum] |
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp4uLdWBUoE/ Making of Teru teru bōzu] |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Teru teru bozu}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Teru teru bozu}} |
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Latest revision as of 19:37, 22 November 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2015) |
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 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]
History
[edit]The tradition of weather-watchers and a rich folk culture of hiyorimi (日和見) can be traced with certainty to the Heian period (749–1185) continuing through the Edo period (1603–1867). Teru teru bōzu weather-watching practice tradition originated and was adapted from a Chinese practice during the Heian period. The practice, called saoqing niang (掃晴娘) in China, involved putting the teru teru bōzu on the end of a broom to sweep good spirits your way, and rather than bōzu being a monk, but a young girl with a broom.[7] As the story unfolds, a girl was sacrificed to save the city during a heavy rainfall by ascending symbolically to the heavens and sweeping rain clouds from the sky. Since then, the people have commemorated her by making paper cutouts of her and hanging them outdoors in the hopes of good weather.[citation needed]
Teru teru bōzu as a Japanese practice seems to have originated from the similarity between origami dolls and names described in the literature in the middle of the Edo period. A reference to teru teru bōzu is written in Kiyū Shōran (嬉遊笑覧) by Nobuyo Kitamura, a scholar of Japanese classical literature in 1830. It is written, "If the weather becomes fine, I write my pupils on the paper, offer sake to the gods, and pour it into the river."[7]
See also
[edit]
- Ikeda, Nagano – a town in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, whose mascot is designed in the motif of teru teru bōzu.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Salupen, Mark (2019-08-03). "Understanding 'teru teru bōzu,' the ghost-like charms in 'Weathering With You'". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 2021-03-06. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ a b c Kazemi, Anisa (2022-06-15). "Japanese Traditions: Teru Teru Bozu". Savvy Tokyo. Archived from the original on 2024-05-31. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ a b c McGee, Oona (2016-06-21). "What is Teru Teru Bozu? The tragic history behind the Japanese fine weather doll". SoraNews24. Archived from the original on 2024-05-31. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ Daijirin
- ^ Kōjien
- ^ Miyata, Noboru (August 1987). "Weather Watching and Emperorship". Current Anthropology. 28 (4): S13–S18. doi:10.1086/203572. ISSN 0011-3204. JSTOR 2743422.
- ^ a b O-Lex Japanese–English Dictionary, Obunsha, 2008. pp. 1681—2.
- ^ "てるみん・ふ～みん". ゆるキャラグランプリ2020 (in Japanese). 2020-09-25. Archived from the original on 2021-01-17. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Teru teru bōzu at Wikimedia Commons- Tracking down the origins of the teru teru bozu (てるてる坊主) sunshine doll tradition
- What are Teruteru Bōzu?
