Star of the rainy season in Japan, the "Teruteru bouzu"
Tired of the continuous rain of the Fall season? Why not confectionnate a Teruteru bouzu while waiting for the Sun to come back?
A "Teruteru bouzu" is a small doll that looks like a ghost and is supposed to bring nice weather. This tradition dates back the Edo period.
Often made with paper or fabric and easy to make, those wethaer charms are made by children most of the time, who hang them to their windows hoping for a sunny day for tomorrow.
We often draw their afec, mostly smiling, but some says that you are supposed to draw it after the nice weather is back, like a reward.
Its name is composed by two words: "teru" meaning "shining" and "bouzu" meaning "monk". This term is far from being trivial. And the story told to children is much darker...
In the child song that was traditionally sang when Teruteru bouzu is settled to the window, the poor thing is threatened to be beheaded if it doesn't keep its promise!
And for good reason: the buddist monk behind this Japanese tradition were decapitated for failing at keeping his promise of brining back the nice weather, during a long period of rains!
If you don't have time or your are not really good with your hands, do not worry. This little man is on any shelf of the souvenir shops, available into many colours.
A "Teruteru bouzu" is a small doll that looks like a ghost and is supposed to bring nice weather. This tradition dates back the Edo period.
Often made with paper or fabric and easy to make, those wethaer charms are made by children most of the time, who hang them to their windows hoping for a sunny day for tomorrow.
We often draw their afec, mostly smiling, but some says that you are supposed to draw it after the nice weather is back, like a reward.
Its name is composed by two words: "teru" meaning "shining" and "bouzu" meaning "monk". This term is far from being trivial. And the story told to children is much darker...
In the child song that was traditionally sang when Teruteru bouzu is settled to the window, the poor thing is threatened to be beheaded if it doesn't keep its promise!
And for good reason: the buddist monk behind this Japanese tradition were decapitated for failing at keeping his promise of brining back the nice weather, during a long period of rains!
If you don't have time or your are not really good with your hands, do not worry. This little man is on any shelf of the souvenir shops, available into many colours.
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