Jump to content

Teru teru bōzu: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile app edit Android app edit
Unreferenced
 
(17 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Japanese doll}}
{{Short description|Japanese doll}}{{Italic title}}{{More citations needed|date=August 2015}}

{{More citations needed|date=August 2015}}
{{Italic title}}
[[Image:teruterubouzu.jpg|thumb|right|''Teru teru bōzu'' dolls]]
[[Image:teruterubouzu.jpg|thumb|right|''Teru teru bōzu'' dolls]]


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>
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 that originated from the Edo period in Japan, made from 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 that 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>


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}}
''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>


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" />
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.


''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>
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.


== Edo period ==
== History ==


Tradition is well practiced and known in Japan, but many Japanese have doubts about the origin of the doll. ''Teru teru bōzo'' 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 bōzo is written in Kiyu Shoran(嬉遊笑覧) by Nobusetsu Kitamura, a scholar of Japanese classical literature in 1830.<ref>''O-Lex Japanese–English Dictionary'', Obunsha, 2008. pp. 1681—2.</ref> 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>''O-Lex Japanese–English Dictionary'', Obunsha, 2008. pp. 1681—2.</ref>
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}}


''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" />
The tradition of weather-watchers and a rich folk culture of hiyorimi can be traced with certainty to the ''Heian period'' (749 – 1185) continuing through the Edo period (1603 to 1867). Teru teru bōzu weather-watching practice tradition originated and was adapted from a Chinese practice during the ''Heian period''. The practice involved putting the teru teru bōzo 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>''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.


== See also ==
== See also ==
{{Portal|Japan}}
{{Portal|Japan}}
*[[Ikeda, Nagano]] – a town located in [[Nagano Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. Mascot of this town is designed in the motif of Teru teru bōzu.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yurugp.jp/jp/vote/detail.php?id=00000481|title=ゆるキャラグランプリ2020「てるみん・ふ~みん」|access-date=2020-09-25|publisher=ゆるキャラグランプリ2020}}</ref>
*[[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>


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 19:37, 22 November 2024

Teru teru bōzu dolls

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]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Daijirin
  5. ^ Kōjien
  6. ^ Miyata, Noboru (August 1987). "Weather Watching and Emperorship". Current Anthropology. 28 (4): S13–S18. doi:10.1086/203572. ISSN 0011-3204. JSTOR 2743422.
  7. ^ a b O-Lex Japanese–English Dictionary, Obunsha, 2008. pp. 1681—2.
  8. ^ "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.
[edit]