Top 6 Traditional Japanese Hairstyles: History and Symbolism

---

Japanese Hairstyles occupy a central place in Japanese culture , where every detail has a special meaning. Nothing is left to chance, and even a haircut can have an ancestral origin rich in symbols.

Have you ever wondered why samurai, geisha, and sumo wrestlers adopted such distinctive hairstyles? How did these styles become status markers in their time?

Delve into the fascinating history of Japanese Hairstyles, as well as the ceremonies and accessories that are closely linked to them.

Traditional Japanese Hairstyles - Geishas and Samurai

Traditional Japanese hairstyles embody a complex and symbolic art, reflecting the social status, age, or role of the wearer. Whether it is the samurai's muffling, a symbol of dignity and discipline, or the elaborate buns of geisha and maiko, adorned with kanzashi and carefully maintained, these hair styles reflect a rich cultural tradition.

1- The Nihongami?

Nihongami, meaning "Japanese hair," refers to traditional Japanese hairstyles from the Kofun period (250-538) to the early Show period (1926-1989 ). These hairstyles evolved over time, reflecting changes in culture and status. In the Henan period (794-1185), noblewomen wore long, straight hair, a style described in the Tale of Genji. In the Ed period (1603-1868), hairstyles became more elaborate, with merchants and their wives setting fashion trends.

Traditional Japanese hairstyles come in many shapes and sizes.

The Meiji Restoration (1868) brought Western influences, leading men to abandon traditional Japanese hairstyles for shorter cuts, while women slowly modernized their hairstyles. Although traditional Nihongami styles disappeared by the Show period, their influence remains. Modern Japanese fashion continues to innovate, blending traditional elements with contemporary trends.

2- Suberakashi

The suberakashi, or "hanging hair", was the Japanese hairstyle of noblewomen from Henan. People recognized her by her long, straight black hair, symbolizing elegance and nobility . During the Kamakura (1185-1333), Muromachi (1336-1573), and Azuchi-Momoyama (1574-1600) periods, Japan created hairstyles such as the "sagegami" (single ponytail) and the "tamagusubi" (looped ponytail) for everyday activities. These styles evolved into various forms in the Edo period.)

This hairstyle was very popular during the Heian period.

The natural "suberakashi" style evolved into the formal court hairstyle known as Osuberakashi, where people tied and bound their hair with stiff mizuhiki rice paper cords. This style remained common until the early Edo period. It is still used today for ceremonies , worn with a junihitoe, a twelve-layered ceremonial kimono, by women of the imperial family and brides, thus retaining its traditional elegance.

3- The Chonmage

The chonmage was a traditional Japanese men's hairstyle of the Edo period , which consisted of shaving the front and top of the head and tying the remaining hair into a noose. Although it is often used to refer to all Edo period topknots, the term "cinching" explicitly refers to styles intended for older, less-haired men, as opposed to the more common ginkgo leaf topknot. This Japanese hairstyle can be seen in modern sumo wrestling , where high-ranking wrestlers wear the formal oichomage during matches.

This hairstyle allowed the samurai to secure their helmets securely on their heads.

The 1871 "sanpatsu-dattō-katterei" ordinance and Emperor Meiji's adoption of a more conventional hairstyle in 1873 marked a significant change, leading to a decline in traditional chonmage and a rise in Western styles. Despite this, some men clung to their muffs out of pride. Folk songs of the time also reflect changing attitudes toward these hairstyles, telling the story of the cultural shift from traditional to modern grooming practices.

4- Shimadamage

The shimada-mage was a famous traditional Japanese hairstyle for women, especially single women . The natural "suberakashi" style evolved into the formal court hairstyle known as Osuberakashi, where people tied and bound their hair with stiff mizuhiki rice paper cords. This style remained common until the early Ed period. Each style therefore reflects regional, social and personal preferences.

This style was adapted from the Japanese hairstyle "Wakashu-mage" for boys and young men. It quickly spread among women of all social classes, spawning many variations. Samurai daughters wore the elegant "Takashimada", while courtesans and geisha preferred the "Nage Shimada" and "Tsubushi Shimada", taking advantage of the hairstyle's adaptability and visual appeal. Today, people celebrate Japanese hairstyles in the city of Shimada during the Shimada-mage festival.

5-Yoko-Hyogo

Yoko-hyogo, a Japanese hairstyle popular among high-society courtesans , is characterized by thick hair in the front and large strands on the sides, creating a butterfly-like appearance. This style, developed from the upright Hyogo-mage, uses a unique tool, the tsuzumi, for styling. Courtesans decorated their hair with luxurious materials such as gold, silver, and tortoiseshell , and often wore multiple combs on top of each other and more than ten hairpins.

This is a formal hairstyle that resembles the wings of a bird.

Beyond their intricate hairstyles, courtesans were admired for their education, artistic skills, and confidence . The Japanese Yoko-hyogo hairstyle and makeup trends, such as the green-tinted "Sasa-irobeni" lips, influenced the fashion scene in Ed. These elements of courtesan culture emphasized their sophistication and class and had a significant impact on Japanese beauty standards.

6- Marumage

During the Edo period, women's hairstyles indicated their social status, age, and stage of life . Young girls wore the chigo-mage, unmarried women the shimada-mage, and married women the maru-mage. The maru-mage, a thick, rounded bun, indicated age, with larger buns reserved for younger women. Hair decorations also varied according to age , making it easier to identify a woman's marital status and age.

Marumage is usually worn by geishas.

The maru-mage also became a representative hairstyle for married women from the Edo period to the Meiji period (1868–1912), evolving from the Katsuyama-mage. By the end of the Edo period, paper forms were used to maintain their shape. Although rarely seen today, the maru-mage appears in traditional festivals, Kabuki, and historical dramas. Notable events for the maru-mage include the Maru-mage Festival in Himi City and the Yomemimatsuri in Konan City .

---

Meaning and Symbolism of Hair in Japanese Culture

In Japanese, "hair" and "god" are pronounced the same: kami. In the Kojiki: Chronicles of Ancient Times, the classic of Japanese mythology, the deity Izanagi pulls a comb from her hair and uses it to produce light and escape from the underworld. Her hair then turns into grapes to distract the fury that was pursuing her. In the oldest legends, hair and hair accessories have divine power.

Hair: Symbols of Life and Death

If you've ever watched Japanese horror movies, you'll have noticed that the spirits often have the same appearance: long, messy hair. When hair is messy, it symbolizes fear, evil. For example, in the movie Thé Gruge, the endless black hair is a character in its own right. When it appears, the viewer understands that a horrible scene is about to occur. The hair itself becomes an eerie presence.

If you want to know more about these terrifying beings, read our article on Yurei, Japanese ghosts.

---

Hair Rites and Ceremonies

In Japan, cutting one's hair is symbolic and part of a rite of passage. At the beginning of Studio Ghibli's animated film Princess Mononoke, Takashi has long hair. But, victim of a curse, he understands that he is doomed and leaves his village for good. To mark this passage from life to death, the character cuts his hair.

During the Heian period, women cut their hair to prove that they were faithful to their husbands. This practice gave rise to a veritable black market where hair could be purchased to create proof of fidelity.

During the Genpuku ceremony, the rite of passage into adulthood (today known as Sein Shiki), boys were required to shave the hair on the front and top of their heads in order to resemble a samurai and thus become adults.

---

Traditional Japanese Hair Accessories

Accessories are just as important as the hair they adorn . Japanese women carefully choose their Kanzashi, the beautiful traditional hairpins. Here are some examples:

Hana Kanzashi: colorful, they are worn by apprentice geishas. They are decorated with flowers that change depending on the season or the event being attended. These pins are covered with a Kushi, a Japanese wooden comb.

Bon-ten: rounded pins. They are larger and are placed on the top of the head.

Bira-bira: two sticks that join together to form a round plate, decorated with small rings that clink together when they are in motion or when the wind blows.

Ogi-bira: This pin is decorated with fine metal threads. It resembles a beautiful fan and is associated with the "princess" style.

Kogai: composed of two pieces, the sword (kogai) and its scabbard, decorated at each end. Often sold with a matching kushi.

Hanagushi: Kushi decorated with silk flowers. You can admire the Tsumami Kanzashi technique, which consists of assembling squares of fabric to represent flowers.

Hirauchi: two pins with a round and flat decoration, attached to the back of the hairstyle.

Kanoko Dome: decorated with flowers or precious stones. Often worn by apprentice geishas.

Tachibana: Very flowery, with two silver pins.

Chirimen Tegara: triangular fabric knot, placed at the back of the hairstyle.

At the time, noble men also had their own hair accessories , such as the Kanmuri, a silk headdress covered in black lacquer. Combs are also very important to the Japanese. For example, sumo wrestlers use four styles of Sukigushi wooden combs to complete their traditional bun. It is tied with Motoyui twine and finished with Bintsuke cream made from chamomile and wax.

---

Conclusion: Japanese Hairstyles

Traditional Japanese hairstyles are of great importance because they have influenced beauty standards and continue to do so! From the elegance of the suberakashi to the sophistication of the yoko-hyogo, you can still see some of these hairstyles today! The charm of these traditional hairstyles connects us to Japan's past and influences modern fashion and beauty trends even today. Have you seen any of these hairstyles? Have you tried them? Let us know in the comments below!

---

BONUS: a video to learn more about Japanese Hairstyles during the Edo period ❤️