Teru teru bôzu

The teru teru bôzu (てるてる坊主) is small a Poupée artisanal manufactured with paper or white fabric which one hangs to the windows houses with a cord the days of rain to the Japan. This kind of Amulette is supposed to make return the good weather. Sometimes it sometimes happens to hang some to make sure that it will not rain, for example the day before of an event (picnic in particular).
It holds its name of the Japanese verb “ teru ” (to shine) and of the word “ bôzu ” (the bonze).
Its popularity goes back to the era Edo.
It is still very current to see some in Japan, although their effectiveness still is not scientifically proven!

The counting rhyme of the teru teru bôzu

There is thus famous a Warabe ATU (童歌), or Japanese Comptine, on the teru teru bôzu . Like all the counting rhymes, its origin remains obscure.

Japanese:
てるてるぼうず、てるぼうず
明日天気にしておくれ
いつかの夢の空のよに
晴れたら銀の鈴あげよ

てるてるぼうず、てるぼうず
明日天気にしておくれ
私の願いを聞いたなら
甘いお酒をたんと飲ましょ

てるてるぼうず、てるぼうず
明日天気にしておくれ
もしも曇って泣いてたら
そなたの首をちょんと切るぞ
Romaji :
Teru-teru-bōzu, teru bōzu
Ashita tenki nor shite o-kure
Itsuka No yume No will sora No yo nor
Haretara kin No suzu ageyo

Teru-teru-bōzu, teru bōzu
Ashita tenki nor shite o-kure
Watashi No negai wo kiita will nara
Amai o-sake wo tanto nomasho

Teru-teru-bōzu, teru bōzu
Ashita tenki nor shite o-kure
Sore of Mo kumotte will naitetara
Sonata No kubi wo chon to kiru zo
Translation:
Teru-teru-bozu, teru bozu
Fais that tomorrow sunny
is one day Like sometimes the sky in dream
If the weather is nice I will give you a gold bell

Teru-teru-bozu, teru bozu
Fais that tomorrow sunny
is one day If you carry out my dream
We will drink many sake sweetened ( amazake )

Teru-teru-bozu, teru bozu
Fais that tomorrow sunny
is one day But if the weather is cloudy and that you cry
If not I should cut you the head

See too

Japanese traditional Headstocks

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