|
|
Japanese Cultural Topic No.83
Kanzashi / Japanese Ornamental Hairpins |
|  |
| Kanzashi / Japanese Ornamental Hairpins
The origin of Kanzashi, Japanese ornamental hairpins goes back even to Jo-mon Period.
In Ancient Japan, it was believed that the charm power stays in one thin stick and people put it to ward off evil spirits.
In Nara Period, hairpins were introduced from China to Japan with various kinds of other goods. Yet, "flowing-hair" had become the mainstream of the fashion, which used to be the traditional style of Japan in the following Heian Peirod, and so stick-type pins were no longer usable, and went out of mode.
It was in the middle of Edo period that the ornamental hairpin showed its prosperity.
Artisan craftsmen who were specialized in its field exercised their utmost skills to create all kinds of hairpins like Hira-uchi Kanzashi, Tama-Kanzasi, Hana-Kanzashi (Flower hairpins), Bira-bira Kanzashi and so on.
In modern times, it has become a little old-fashioned because people tend to fix their hair like Western people and they do not have many chances to use them. Kanzashi are mostly used by people like Brides at Shinto-style wedding, or Geisha, or Geiko, who put up their hair in Japanese traditional style. Nevertheless, Kanzashi hairpins attract some young Japanese women who appreciate the beauty of Kanzashi and they try to add them to their western fashion style.
a) Hira-uchi-Kanzashi: with "flat and round" decoration. The stick is either straight or divided. [Photo 1, 2]
b) Tama-Kanzashi: the most popular Kanzashi. A simple stick with an earpick pierces Tama (ball). [Photo 3]
c) Yoshichoh: A simple stick with earpick. [Photo 4]
d) Tsumami-Kanzashi: Kanzashi with flowers made of fabrics. "Tsumami" means "to pinch". Artisans pick up small pieces of folded fabrics using a pair of tweezers. They arrange and glue them on the basis to make them look like beautiful flowers. [Photo 5, 6, 7]
e) Kushi: "Comb", as it is named. Comb-type Kanzashi. Put on a fixed hair. [Photo 8]
f) Modern Kanzashi: all that look like "Bachi (beater) of Shamisen (one of the Japanese traditional musical instruments)" and have divided ends. Desings of it are based on Western-type hairpins. [Photo 9] |
|
[Photo 1] |
[Photo 2] |
[Photo 3] |
[Photo 4] |
[Photo 5] |
[Photo 6] |
[Photo 7] |
[Photo 8] |
[Photo 9] |
| | Written by Nakamide Ri |
|
|
|
