Teru Teru Bozu

 It's raining! It's been raining since last night, and it looks like it isn't going to stop anytime soon. The rainy season is upon us, very early this year.

I was saying to Hannah that the weather wasn't cooperating at all. I have so much that I want to get done outside, but can't because of this constant rain! 

She told me I should make Teru Teru Bozu! I had forgotten about these.

Whenever there is a lot of rain, like now with the rainy season, or there are outdoor school trips or festivals planned, these handmade ghost-like dolls appear hanging in windows. They are usually made from tissues or white cloth. They look like ghosts or a bald-headed monk.

Teru Teru Bozu hanging on my laundry hanger

I often wondered where this idea came from. I thought it was just something for the kids to do when it's raining!

The name Teru Teru Bozu means shine monk. Teru means to shine or be sunny; when it's repeated, it emphasizes the wish for sunny weather. Bozu means Buddhist monk or someone with a bald head. Literally translated, it means "shine, shine, monk."

The tradition of Teru Teru Bozu dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1868) in Japan, but its roots are thought to be older, adapted from the Chinese during the Heian period (794-1185).  The Chinese customer involved a paper doll of a young girl holding a broom to sweep the clouds away.

The history or legends of where this idea came from are rather dark.

One story is that a feudal lord asked a Buddhist monk to stop the rain that was destroying the crops. The Buddhist monk said that he would stop the rain, but he couldn't. The feudal lord was so angry that he had the monk decapitated, wrapped his head in a white cloth and hung outside. The strange thing was this stopped the rain!

The other story is that the Teru Teru Bozu is a Yokai, a Japanese supernatural entity. This entity is named Hiyoribo. He is said to be a weather monk who can't be seen on rainy days!

Today, the idea of making Teru Teru Bozu is something kids do on rainy days! Making a wish for better weather! I remember when I used to teach at kindergartens, there would be a load of Teru Teru Bozu hanging around the classrooms during the rainy season. I think my kids made them as well.

I'm hoping that my two little Teru Teru Bozu that I have hanging up will bring better weather tomorrow, so I can get out and tidy the garden more!