Hairstyles of Japanese women

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Hairstyles of Japanese women have been varied throughout history. Since the 7th century, Japanese noblewomen have sought out elaborate and structured ways to wear their hair to show off their elite status. This included hairdos built of wax, ribbons, combs, hair picks, and flowers.

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Kepatsu- a Chinese inspired style

Kepatsu Takamat1.jpg
Kepatsu

The noblewomen of the early 7th century would wear their hair "very high and boxy at the front, with a sickle-shaped ponytail at the back, sometimes called "hair bound with a red string."" [1] They would call this hairstyle "keppatsu" because it was inspired by the Chinese fashion of the era [2] . Kepatsu served to make the hairline look artificially retracted [3]

Taregami

The noblewomen of Japan started to abandon Chinese fashions and create their own style of sense and practicality. This occurred around 794 and lasted about 1345, during Heian period. The style at this time was to wear long, loose, straight hair. "Floor-length black tresses were considered the height of beauty." [4] The 11th-century novel The Tale of Genji (源氏物語, Genji monogatari) describes women showing off their long, flowing hair.

Tosa Mitsuoki--Portrait of Murasaki Shikibu. Taregami Tosa Mitsuoki--Portrait of Murasaki Shikibu.jpg
Tosa Mitsuoki—Portrait of Murasaki Shikibu. Taregami

Shimada mage

This hairstyle first appeared during the Edo period. Women began putting wax in their hair and pulling back a number of different buns and decorated it by adding combs, sticks, sometimes even flower and ribbons. This version is relatively simple compared to what would come in later years of this style. This was the main style of a Geisha

"Those who would wear this hairstyle during this period were young and ordinary women.

Variants of the shimada are the Taka Shimada, Tsubushi Shimada, Uiwata, Momoware, and Torobin Shimada.

Shimada mage Shimada mage.jpg
Shimada mage

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wig</span> Head accessory that mimics hair

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ponytail</span> Hairstyle gathering hair at the back of the head

A ponytail is a hairstyle in which some, most, or all of the hair on the head is pulled away from the face, gathered and secured at the back of the head with a hair tie, clip, or other similar accessory and allowed to hang freely from that point. It gets its name from its resemblance to the tail of a pony.

<i>Kanzashi</i> Traditional Japanese hair ornaments

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bun (hairstyle)</span> Type of hairstyle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geisha</span> Traditional Japanese female hostess and entertainer

Geisha (芸者), also known as geiko (芸子) or geigi (芸妓), are female Japanese performing artists and entertainers trained in traditional Japanese performing arts styles, such as dance, music and singing, as well as being proficient conversationalists and hosts. Their distinct appearance is characterised by long, trailing kimono, traditional hairstyles and oshiroi make-up. Geisha entertain at parties known as ozashiki, often for the entertainment of wealthy clientele, as well as performing on stage and at festivals.

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References

  1. history, Kallie Szczepanski Kallie Szczepanski has a Ph D. in; College, Has Taught at the; U.S, high school level in both the; Korea. "10 Gorgeous Ancient Hairstyles Worn by Japanese Women". ThoughtCo. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  2. "Symbolism of Hairstyles in Korea and Japan". Asian Folklore Studies.
  3. "Frontal pseudoalopecia in history: Part 2—Cultural forms". Clinics in Dermatology.
  4. history, Kallie Szczepanski Kallie Szczepanski has a Ph D. in; College, Has Taught at the; U.S, high school level in both the; Korea. "10 Gorgeous Ancient Hairstyles Worn by Japanese Women". ThoughtCo. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  5. Writers, YABAI. "A Snip of The Story Behind Japan's Fashionable Haircuts | YABAI - The Modern, Vibrant Face of Japan". YABAI. Retrieved 2019-11-12.