Category Archives: Kanzashi

The gigantic hair ornaments of oiran, Japan’s courtesans

Posted on May 26, 2011 by miriamslatercollection

Oiran or Japan’s highest ranking courtesans were the grandest and most spectacular women of the “floating world”. The word oiran means “first flower” which poetically indicates their exalted status in society. Like geisha they often had humble beginnings, and many … Continue reading →

Posted in Edo Hair Comb, Japanese Hair Comb, Kanzashi | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Crane and tortoise, two major Japanese symbols

Posted on April 26, 2011 by creativemuseum

Par Creative Museum Au Japon, deux figures animales associées reviennent très souvent comme motif décoratif. Il s’agit de la grue et de la tortue. De nombreux kanzashi en sont ornés mais on les retrouve aussi sur les miroirs, les broderies … Continue reading →

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Silver Kanzashi

Posted on April 20, 2011 by BarbaraAnne

The kanzashi’s original purpose was a charm against evil spirits. The tradition began as early as 1000 BC to 300 AD, in Japan’s Jomon Era. Decorating them with flowers invited deities. The art captured the Japanese cultural imagination in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative Museum, Hair Sticks, Japanese Hair Comb, Kanzashi, Miriam Slater Kanzashi Collection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Poetry and symbolism in Japanese kanzashi

Posted on April 12, 2011 by miriamslatercollection

By Miriam Slater: The Japanese over the centuries have distinguished themselves by their cultivation of humor, fine design and poetry within their art. In fact, these qualities are what originally attracted me to kanzashi. As an artist I found myself … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese Hair Comb, Kanzashi, Miriam Slater | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Ebay Dealer Mistakes

Posted on April 11, 2011 by BarbaraAnne

There have been many lovely combs on the American, British, and French E-bay sites. However, some dealers misidentify their comb’s country of origin. Here are two examples. Please see item #130476761205. The hairpin is stunning, condition excellent, no arguments that … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese Hair Comb, Japanese Hair Comb, Kanzashi, Pakistani Hair Comb | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Kanzashi as Deadly Weapons

Posted on March 9, 2011 by BarbaraAnne

Brass- or gold-plated metal kanzashi began to be made in the latter part of the Edo era, when hair styles became more complicated. Hair ornaments revealed a woman’s class, marital status, age, and if she had any children. A woman … Continue reading →

Posted in Edo Hair Comb, Japanese Hair Comb, Kanzashi | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

I bought this

Posted on January 25, 2010 by BarbaraAnne

Set of two Meiji tortoiseshell kanzashi with plovers on them. The last two shell kanzashi I bought arrived broken. Let’s hope the third one’s the charm! lol I paid a whopping $77 for them on ebay. I love the seller, … Continue reading →

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Broken Kanzashi, Broken Heart

Posted on October 4, 2009 by BarbaraAnne

Recently, I bought a real shell kanzashi for $214.50. Given the prices Japanese combs are going for on ebay now, I was thrilled to get a real shell kanzashi for a price I could afford. I begged the seller to … Continue reading →

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The One That Got Away

Posted on October 4, 2009 by BarbaraAnne

I saw it listed at $9.99, 6 days to go. It was a drop-dead gorgeous real shell kanzashi with coral. I thought it was real, anyway. My eyes popped out of my head. I emailed two of my friend collectors. … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese Hair Comb, Kanzashi | Tagged | 2 Comments

Well, you had to wear them in something

Posted on October 4, 2009 by BarbaraAnne

Here are some 19th-century paintings of Geishas in their wigs, wearing the beautiful ornaments we all admire. It’s nice to see kushi and kanzashi in context. From the historical record these paintings provide, it looks like the wigs were just … Continue reading →

Posted in Edo Hair Comb, Japanese Hair Comb, Kanzashi | Tagged , , | 1 Comment