Teru teru bōzu
In its own language: てるてる坊主
from Japanese words meaning 'shine' and 'monk'
A white paper doll hung outside to ask for sunny weather
The teru teru bōzu is a handmade charm from Japan used to invite clear skies. It takes the shape of a small white figure and is traditionally displayed on windows or doors.
What it is
A teru teru bōzu is a traditional Japanese charm designed to bring sunshine. People create these figures by folding tissue paper or cloth into a simple, ghost-like shape. They typically tie a string around the neck of the doll and hang it outside windows or doors. The object represents a bald monk whose head shines in the sun. Families believe that displaying this figure can influence the weather to become clear and bright.
Where it comes from
This practice likely began during the Heian period through cultural exchange with China. The Chinese version, known as Saoqing Niang, involved hanging a paper cutout of a young girl on a broom to sweep away rain clouds. Over time, the Japanese tradition evolved to focus on a monk figure rather than a girl. By the Edo period, the custom was well established among urban residents who made the dolls the evening before they wanted good weather.
How it is done
Children and adults make the charm by folding white paper or cloth into a sack shape. They secure the top with a string and hang the figure outdoors. A popular nursery rhyme guides the process, encouraging children to sing while they work. If the weather improves after the doll is hung, the charm is often ritually washed away in a river with sake. Some traditions involve writing pupils on the paper face before offering the drink.
Teru teru bōzu, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Japanese folk superstition
- Timing
- the day before desired weather
What it is for
The primary goal is to request clear skies for the following day. Parents and teachers introduce the charm to children in kindergartens and daycares. The ritual serves as a playful way for kids to engage with weather expectations. The promise of sake rewards success, while the threat of decapitation in the song warns against failure, adding a layer of dramatic stakes to the child's wish.
Who does it
Households, particularly those with young children, are the main practitioners. The activity is common in educational settings like daycare centers. Children learn to fold the dolls and sing the associated songs. The role is informal and passed down through generations via play and nursery rhymes rather than formal training.
At a glance: who, where and when
Who does it
Peoples
Belief worlds
Occasions
Questions people ask about Teru teru bōzu
Where does Teru teru bōzu come from?
As our sources describe it, Teru teru bōzu belongs to Japan. Communities differ in what they call it and how they keep it.
What kind of thing is Teru teru bōzu?
As our sources describe it, Teru teru bōzu belongs with the charm entries in a guide to magic. What it is believed to do depends on who is speaking, and scholars read it differently from those who practise it.
Is Teru teru bōzu still practised?
Our sources place Teru teru bōzu among the entries that are living. Practised today by communities who hold it as their own.
Which peoples keep Teru teru bōzu?
As our sources describe it, Teru teru bōzu is kept by Japanese. Others now know it too, often in changed forms.
Good reading and sources
- Teru teru bōzu on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Teru teru bōzu", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.
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