Kyoto hairpin
Kanzashi (hairpin), a traditional Japanese hair accessory, is currently experiencing a boom among young people as Japanese culture is being rediscovered.
Kanzashi are the easiest item for people interested in Japanese culture to pick up, thanks to their delicate designs that make use of traditional crafts, the wide variety of materials and types, and their versatility that allows them to be worn with both Japanese and Western clothing.
Kanzashi are also gaining popularity in Kyoto, a city with a thousand-year history. Rediscover the charm of kanzashi in Kyoto, a city that continues to create new culture while preserving tradition.
Hairpins that adorn Kyoto's entertainment district: Maiko's hairpins
Kyoto is a city that changes color with the seasons. Not only does the climate have extreme temperature differences, resulting in vibrantly changing colors for flowers and autumn leaves, but the city also has a tradition of valuing seasonal events, and has established restrictions on the exteriors of buildings to preserve the scenery. Within Kyoto, the Gion area in Higashiyama Ward is particularly preserving the atmosphere of the ancient capital. Walking through the town of Gion, you can see maiko and geisha dressed in gorgeous attire coming and going.
The flower hairpins that adorn maiko's Japanese hairstyles change every month, reflecting the changing of the seasons. They are modeled after seasonal flowers - plum blossoms in February, rape blossoms in March, cherry blossoms in April - and silvery Bonten (Bonten) ornaments for the Gion Festival Yoiyama in July, and small sign-shaped "maneki" ornaments bearing the signatures of patrons when the Minamiza Kaomise performance begins in December, teaching us about the elegant culture of Kyoto. Also, at New Year's, ears of rice are worn as kanzashi to pray for a good harvest. Kanzashi ornaments express Japan's four seasons and culture.
January (New Year/Mutsuki): Pine, bamboo, plum, ears of rice, crane
February (Kisaragi): Plum blossoms, ghosts
March (Yayoi) rape blossoms
April (Uzuki): Cherry blossoms, weeping cherry blossoms, butterflies
May (Satsuki) Wisteria, Iris, Japanese iris
June (Minazuki) : Willows, hydrangeas
July (Fumitsuki): Uchiwa (fan), Gion Festival, Goldfish
August (Hazuki) Pampas grass
September (Nagatsuki) Bellflower
October (Kannazuki) Chrysanthemum
November (Shimotsuki) Autumn leaves
December (Shiwasu): Maneki, Mochibana
In addition to the above, various other motifs are used to represent the seasons.
New Year's rice ear hairpins are decorated with small doves, and it is said that if the person you love has their eyes painted in, your feelings will be conveyed.
The "Obake" in February is an event held on Setsubun to ward off evil spirits. Maiko dress up in costumes and walk around the red-light district. They enjoy dressing up in costumes, wearing flat hairpins and other accessories to look like town girls.
If you see a maiko in town, be sure to take note of her hairpins.
Hairpins worn by women at the top
The leading ladies of the entertainment district, such as the maiko of Gion and the courtesans of Yoshiwara, decorated their tied-up hair with large hairpins. Today, this would be called morigami. It is said that this was done to create the effect of making the eyes appear younger and cuter, as the position of the eyes is lower in relation to the rest of the face, including the hair. Also, decorations that sway gently in front of the face, such as the weeping cherry blossom hairpin, are said to attract the interest of the opposite sex. The women of the entertainment district made full use of hairpins to enhance their own attractiveness.
On the other hand, many people may wonder if the hairstyles of maiko and courtesans are not too heavy. In particular, the Date Hyogo hairstyle of courtesans, which is well known in Kabuki, features six hairpins decorated with pine and koto bridges on each side, two large coral hairpins, and three tortoiseshell combs on the forehead.
When you actually pick up one of these hairpins, you'll be amazed at how light it is. High-ranking courtesans, or oiran, wore expensive tortoiseshell and coral hairpins. Tortoiseshell, made from the shell of a turtle that swims freely in the sea, is very light. To preserve the tortoiseshell's lightness, some hairpins are decorated with maki-e (gold lacquer) and openwork carving. Coral is also a lightweight material made from lime. Of all the high-class natural materials, those that are particularly light and pleasant to the touch have been used as materials for hairpins.
The flower hairpins worn by maiko are also called tsumami kanzashi, and are made using a technique called tsumami zaiku. Fabrics such as habutae and crepe are cut into small squares, which are then layered and pinched together to form flower and other motifs. The thin silk fabric is given volume when pinched together, so the hairpins are large but light.
It is clear that even though the hairpin is a luxurious ornament, practicality is also important.
Give a Kanzashi to a special person
There is a line in a Yosakoi folk song from Kochi that goes, "It's a strange thing, I saw a monk buying a hairpin at Harimaya Bridge." The song is about a scandal that occurred in 1859, when a diligent monk bought a hairpin for his lover, which was forbidden. The fuss caused by this purchase led to the couple being banished and separated, and it is a tragic love story.
This Yosakoi song tells us that in the Edo period, it was a special occasion for a man to give a woman a hairpin. It's similar to what we call a ring today. Even if it doesn't have the same meaning as it did in the Edo period, it's still a nice gift to receive a hairpin as an accessory. Nowadays, hairpins are not as meaningful as rings and come in all sizes, making them a welcome accessory for both the giver and the receiver.
Kanzashi have become popular as souvenirs and gifts for a number of reasons: they come in a wide variety, so it's fun to choose one while thinking of the person you're giving it to, and they're light and don't take up much space, so they don't get in the way when traveling.
A hairpin as a memento of Kyoto
When walking around the city of Kyoto, you often see people wearing traditional Japanese clothing. Unlike the glamorous kimonos worn by maiko, everyday clothing blends into the scenery while highlighting the individuality of the wearer.
More and more people are enjoying the Taisho Roman look, which exudes a unique exotic atmosphere. The popularity of kimonos may be due to the fact that they can be worn like Western clothing and that antique kimonos are now available at low prices. It is also common to see men wearing student-style kimonos with hunting caps. Many people in Kyoto wear kimonos on a daily basis, and there is even a service system for people wearing kimonos, such as the "Kimono Passport," making it the perfect place to enjoy Japanese clothing. You can enjoy strolling around town in a kimono, or dress up in a formal kimono to go to a high-class restaurant.
It can be a hassle to gather all the necessary items for Japanese clothing from scratch, and it can be a hassle to bring a lot of luggage on a short trip, but it's convenient to use kimono rental shops located in various places.
If you go out in town in a kimono, be sure to pick up a memorable one at a hairpin shop. Hairpins are the perfect way to keep the memories of a fun trip. There are many different types of hairpins. Let's take a look at some types, focusing on those that are easy to find. <Types of Hairpins>
Tsumami Kanzashi, Hana Kanzashi Classical Kanzashi, typified by the hairpins worn by maiko. Small pieces of fabric are pinched together to form a flower.
Tamakanzashi
A classic hairpin with one or two rods attached to a single bead made of coral, jade, dragonfly bead, or cloisonné (Kyoto cloisonné).
Flat hairpin
A flat circular ornament engraved with flowers or family crests, with a rod made of the same material attached. Those made of silver are called ginpei. Tortoiseshell has been used for a long time, but in recent years, a durable material called acetyloid has also been used.
Fan-shaped hairpin (drum-shaped hairpin)
A flat hairpin shaped like a fan or a shamisen stick, it has a lacquered or tortoiseshell base and is decorated with intricate designs such as makie (gold lacquer) and openwork.
Comb hairpin
A kanzashi is a comb decorated with ornaments.
Casual Kanzashi (for everyday use)
This is a general term for kanzashi that go well with modern clothing. They are made from a variety of materials, including rhinestones, leather, and feathers. There are many different types, including U-pin shaped ones and ones with charms.
There are also hairpins made in the style of corsages with western flowers such as roses, using the classic technique of pinched hairpins, and fan-shaped hairpins with pictures painted with henna art.
The price is mainly determined by the material. Items made from rare natural materials such as tortoiseshell and coral, or with advanced techniques such as lacquer, maki-e, and raden (mother-of-pearl) are generally expensive.
There are plenty of cheap and cute items available, including glass beads and rhinestones.
If you are buying a kanzashi for the first time, it is a good idea to ask a specialist kanzashi store about how to use and combine them. They will be able to recommend a kanzashi that suits your tastes and the occasion.
Many of the kanzashi, made from natural materials such as tortoiseshell and coral, or traditional crafts such as glass beads and cloisonné ware, are one-of-a-kind, so if you find one you like, be sure to cherish the encounter and get it as soon as possible.
Kanzashi is a traditional hair accessory that originated in Japan, but the younger generation is more likely to casually adopt it without being bound by traditional Japanese clothing. Mizuhiki kanzashi is familiar as a ribbon motif, and coral is familiar as a power stone. The sharp-looking silver kanzashi is also popular among men as a type of silver accessory.
Kanzashi not only go well with Japanese hairstyles, but also with evening updos and buns. Once you get used to wearing them, it's very easy to do, and you can even style long hair with just one. This is only natural, as they are a hair accessory that evolved to style Japanese hairstyles. Adding a kanzashi to your usual hairstyle can add a unique touch of style. When matching them with your clothes, we recommend starting with simple styles that make the most of the material. Once you get used to using them, try layering them to create your own unique look.
