The other day, (yesterday,) I was sitting around the table with my grandparents, lamely watching TV after dinner. The weather lady was announcing tomorrow’s probability of rain in our area. “Grrr..” I thought. “Tomorrow I plan on going to the どよよいち” (a saturday summer festival). “If it rains, it won’t be as fun…”
Then, I got an idea.
“TERU TERU BOZU!!!!” I screamed.
My grandparents were shocked at my sudden burst of energy and I felt odd being the only one so excited so– I made them join. RIGHT NOW, WE WILL BE MAKING TERU TERU BOZUS! “but why?” they asked.
I had forgotten that we can’t make teru teru bozus for no reason. There is always a reason, or a particular event. (Oh, and I also forgot to explain to you what a teru teru bozu is.)
☟
These ghostly looking dolls made of tissue paper or hanker-chiefs are called teru teru bozu (テルテル坊主). In Japan, they are believed to have a mystical power that can stop the rain! For hundreds of years, children would make them the day before a special event and wish for pleasant weather.
In this case, a teen and her grandparents.
Photo by Aya Dijkwel
Photo by Atushi Tanaka
Traditionally, they are hung in the Kyakuma (客間) room of a Japanese home.
Photo by Aya Dijkwel
Most modern homes don’t have a room like this anymore and neither do other buildings, so any window is fine.
Photo by Aya Dijkwel
Today, it only sprinkled.
Thank you teru teru bozu!
Photo by Aya Dijkwel
Aya Dijkwel です 