Flat hairpins are essential for tying Japanese hairstyles. They are not just decorative, but also serve to keep the hairstyle in order and to fix it if it does get messy. Therefore, there are simple rules for how to insert them. When tying Japanese hairstyles, the place and angle at which they should be inserted are fixed. For example, it is a Japanese custom to not neglect even the way sliding doors are opened. Even inserting a single hairpin has meaning and rules.
It's also surprising to learn that during the Edo period, when flat kanzashi were popular, the type of kanzashi was determined by one's social status. It seems a bit of a shame that there were so many different types (including those made from wood and tortoiseshell), and people couldn't wear them however they wanted.
Nowadays, flat kanzashi are rarely used in Japanese hairstyles, but the beauty and functionality of flat kanzashi is now recognized by many people, and the variety of types is increasing.
We are fortunate to live in an age where we no longer have to walk around in a fixed style like in the past. Many flat hairpins with designs suited to this modern age are being produced.
In the coming season, they are perfect for wearing with a yukata, and also go well with Western clothes, so they look great when you put them in your updo as an accent. Flat kanzashi hairpins show a completely different world depending on the maker, with hand-carved ones and vibrant ones.
Kanzashi Shop Wargo sells a variety of Kanzashi, from delicate to bold. Why not give it a try?
