髪

hair on the head

Kanji 1706

Learn about historic Japanese hairstyles, including those resembling peaches or ginkgo leaves and one inspired by prostitutes, as well as a boxy pillow women used so as not to muss their hair. See what unexpected roles Edo-era barbershops played. Find out why you should grab the goddess's bangs, where to pray for your hair, and what Japanese men said about Marilyn Monroe.

Revision history:

Jan. 28, 2021:

p. 2: Etymology Box: Replaced the old Henshall etymology with the new one and completely rewrote that sidebar.

p. 12: Changed the definition of 亭主 from “household head” to “husband.”

p. 25: Added a link to the Kanshudo games
 

Feb. 9, 2019:

p. 1: The sound-alikes line was missing! It’s now there. 

pp. 2, 4, 19, and 20: Fixed broken links. 

p. 12: Revised the Otomi lyric translation and the discussion of that lyric. 

p. 19: Redefined “Kofun era” as “the third through the seventh centuries.”
 

Apr. 4, 2014: Originally published.