Do you think Kanzashi are difficult to wear? No, actually, wearing Kanzashi is very easy.
Once you learn the basic method, you'll be able to easily style your hair up without using a rubber band, so be sure to learn it.
Basic ways to use Kanzashi
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| Tie your hair in a bundle. | Twist your hair clockwise 2-3 times. *Make sure to twist the roots firmly. | Insert the hairpin from above into the center of a section of hair that is two fingers' width away from the scalp. |
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| Hold the strand of hair with your left hand and bring it up to your scalp. | Lower your right hand holding the hairpin so that the tip passes outside your left hand. | Lower your left hand slightly. |
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| Using the tip of the hairpin as an axis, slide it down along your scalp while flipping the hairpin up with your right hand. | Insert it into the bottom right corner as it is. * Trace your scalp. | Finished! *For left-handed people, all movements are reversed. |
Arrangements for how to wear a Kanzashi
Short Hair
This video will show you how to wear a kanzashi (Japanese hair ornament) for those with short hair.
Semi Long/Long hair
This video will show you how to wear a kanzashi (Japanese hair ornament) for those with semi-long or long hair.
Super Long hair
Here is a video showing how to wear a kanzashi for people with very long hair.
How to choose a Kanzashi and frequently asked questions
Q. What is the difference between a single-stem kanzashi and a double-stem kanzashi?
A single-shank hairpin can be used by wrapping your hair around it and inserting it , or by making a bun and then inserting the hairpin.
A two-pronged kanzashi is a type of kanzashi that you put on after making a bun .
*You can tie your hair up with just a two-pronged kanzashi, but the forked part may become distorted or break. Also, with a two-pronged kanzashi, you cannot adjust the direction of the kanzashi after inserting it, so make sure you get it right in one go.
Q. How long does my hair need to be to be able to tie it up?
Generally, unless your hair is short enough to be shaved or buzz cut, you can tie it up with a hairpin.
For a half-up style, you can tie up your hair as long as it is long enough that you can lightly pick up your hair from above your ears, twist it, and leave two fingers' width of space from the roots. If you're tying up all your hair, you can tie it up with just a kanzashi if it's shoulder-length, or if you can tie it with a small rubber band and twist it to leave two fingers' width of space.
Q. If I use only a hairpin to tie my hair up, does the length of the kanzashi I choose change depending on the amount of hair I have?
For customers with a lot of hair, we recommend a relatively long kanzashi, as it will add thickness to the hair when tied up. For customers with a normal amount of hair, the length of the kanzashi does not matter. Also, even if you have long hair, a kanzashi of about 12 cm in length (such as a glass bead kanzashi) will be sufficient to tie up your hair.
Q. Is there an easier way to wear a kanzashi?
There's an even easier way to put it on!
- Use a small hair tie or hairpin to make a "twist," then insert the hairpin into the gap in the center.
- Make a bun using a hair tie or scrunchie, then insert the hair into the bun while scooping up some of the hair.
- Insert a hairpin into a braid or braid.
Also, when you make a bun, brushing your hair back a little will add volume and help hide the elastics and pins, making it look more natural. You can change the look by changing the position where you tie your hair or by combining multiple kanzashi, so please try it out.
Q. Which kanzashi is easier to use: wooden or metal?
If you have a normal amount of hair, you can use either the wooden or metal (brass) handle. If you have a lot of hair, the wooden handle is less slippery than the metal (brass) handle, allowing you to manage your hair more securely.
Q. Can men wear kanzashi? Also, are there any other recommended ways to use them besides in your hair?
Of course, men can also use them! Recommended items include "antique hairpins" and "buffalo hairpins." Although they are a little more expensive, we think the "silver hairpin" is easy to use. They also look great as handkerchiefs in the breast pocket of a suit, or as a stole clip.
Q. Does the strength of a hairpin differ depending on the type of shaft?
Yes. Due to the nature of the material used for the shaft, the strength of each varies. Brass shafts used for glass beads are thick and strong. However, flat brass shafts, made by thinly stretching brass and used as accessory kanzashi, are prone to bending. For this reason, using the flat shaft as an accessory kanzashi rather than as the main shaft will ensure its longevity. Kanzashi made from water buffalo horn are flexible and easy to handle. Kanzashi made from acrylic break easily, so use them as accessory kanzashi. This is true for all types of kanzashi: if you apply too much pressure to the shaft to make it easier to secure the kanzashi, it will break or bend easily. (The same goes for the decorative parts.) When inserting the kanzashi, try not to use too much force; instead, relax your hand.
Q. Where should I hold the kanzashi to insert it?
Hold the kanzashi slightly above the center of the stem and slightly below the ornament. This will allow you to adjust the force easily and insert the kanzashi without applying excessive force to the stem or ornament.
Q. How do I remove a kanzashi?
Do not pull on the ornament, but push the tip of the kanzashi in the opposite direction to lift it up, then remove it by holding the stem. Pulling on the ornament may cause it to break.
Q. My hairpin broke. Can it be repaired?
Yes. We generally repair glass bead hairpins. (Not applicable to glass bead hairpins.)
However, the cost and time required for repairs will vary depending on the type of hairpin and the extent of the damage, so please feel free to contact us first.
