What is Teru Teru Bozu? The tragic history behind the Japanese fine weather doll soranews24.com

In Japan, children are taught from an early age about the wondrous powers of the teru teru bozu, which translates to shiny baldhead (monk).
Hung under the eaves of the house, the teru teru bozu even has an accompanying song, usually sung by children as the doll is being made, acting as a chant to invoke sunny skies the following day.
A less horrifying theory suggests the talisman represents a yokai spirit from the mountains called Hiyoribo, who brings fine weather and can’t be seen on rainy days.
Known as 掃晴娘 (So-Chin-Nyan) or Souseijou in Japanese, which literally means “sweeping fine weather girl”, the paper doll concept gradually took on a different face in Japan, eventually becoming the teru teru bozu we see today.
If you’d like to see the broom-carrying fine weather girl in action, check out the animated short below.