When my DJI Avata 2 needed repairs, I sent it off under DJI Care Refresh, hoping for the best and expecting the usual wait time. You know how tech repairs goโship it, whisper encouragement through the cardboard, and prepare to wait a weekโฆ or five.
But to my surprise, just two days later, my doorbell rang. The drone was back, fully repaired, fresh and flight-ready. I was already impressedโbut DJI Japan wasnโt done.
Because inside the box, tucked beside the drone, was a small white doll.
At first glance, I thought it might be a tiny ghost. A friendly one? A haunted one? A soft warning not to crash again?
I showed it to my wife.
โThatโs a Teru Teru Bozu,โ she said.
โYou hang it by the window. Itโs to wish for sunny weather.โ
โ๏ธ A Monk Who Controls the Skies
Teru Teru Bozu (ใฆใใฆใๅไธป) literally means โshine shine monk.โ
Itโs a traditional Japanese charm made from tissue or cloth, hung outside windows to ward off rain and invite clear skies.
Especially during Japanโs rainy season (tsuyu), which runs from early June to mid-July, these tiny monks appear all over the country. Kids hang them before school outings. Farmers before harvest. And nowโdrone pilots before FPV flights.
You might even hear kids singing a cheerful rhyme as they make one:
ใฆใใฆใๅไธปใใฆใๅไธปใๆๆฅๅคฉๆฐใซใใฆใใใ
Teru Teru Bozu, Teru Bozu, make tomorrow sunny for meโฆ
Sweet, right?
But waitโit doesnโt stop there.
๐ Surprise! The Song Has a Dark Side
In older versions of the song (which you wonโt find in kindergarten anymore), it continues:
ใใใๆใฃใฆๆณฃใใฆใใใใใชใใฎ้ฆใใกใใๅใใ
But if itโs cloudy and you cryโฆ Iโll cut off your head.
Yes. You read that right.
Apparently, if the Teru Teru Bozu fails to deliver sunshine, itโs not just ignoredโitโs beheaded.
A little extreme for a weather doll, but hey, Edo-period traditions werenโt exactly subtle.
So next time you hang one, just know:
Your little monk may be under tremendous pressure.
๐ DJI: Repairs, Results, and Rain Rituals
Honestly, DJI didnโt have to include anything beyond the drone. But that Teru Teru Bozu was a brilliant touch:
- A nod to Japanese culture
- A hopeful charm during rainy season
- And an unexpected surprise that made the whole experience feelโฆ personal
Now the little guy lives near our window, always watching the skies. I havenโt beheaded him (yet), but letโs just say I hope he keeps doing his job.
๐ช Sunshine with a Side of Humor
In the end, DJI Japan didnโt just fix my drone.
They made me smile, taught me something new about the culture I live in, and gave me an honorary sunshine monk to help guide my future flights.
And honestly, thatโs more than good service.
Thatโs legendary supportโฆ with a sprinkle of folklore and mild weather-based intimidation.
So next time your skies look grey, try hanging a Teru Teru Bozu.
Or just send your drone to DJI Japan and hope they include one in the box.
Either wayโmay your flights be smooth, and your little monk keep his head. ๐
Experiences - Life - Inspiration ๐จ๐ญ๐ฏ๐ต 
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