On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why did samurai have such weird haircuts?
Topics Discussed
- What a chonmage is
- The Japanese people's pursuit of excellence of the hairstyle
- The historical origins of the topknots in Japan
- Hats and their connection to the topknot
- The supposed reason why samurai started using topknots and shaving the front of their heads
- The chonmage as a status symbol during the Edo Period
- The most well-known types of chonmage
- What an ichōmage is
- What a hondamage is
- What the sōhatsu style topknot looked like
- What a chasenmage/chasengami is
- The supposed etymology of the term chonmage
- An article stating that some men would pluck their hair and cause themselves to bleed
- A theory about chonmage as a way to hide baldness
- The Sanpatsudattōurei (散髪脱刀令) declaration of 1871
- The Meiji government's efforts to have men cut off their topknots and stop carrying swords
- How Iwakura Tomomi cut his hair in Chicago
- What a zangiriatama is
- The chonmage in modern times in Japan
- The use of chonmage by sumo wrestlers
- About tokoyama (床山), the hairstylists of sumo wrestlers
- How two top ranked tokoyama became tokoyama
- How much money a tokoyama might earn
- Topknots in modern day kabuki
- Whether there are any people in modern day Japan outside of sumo that wear their hair in the chonmage (topknot) style
- The TV personality Magehira
- The time consuming process it takes to get your hair in a proper chonmage
- What a danpatsushiki (散髪式) is (sumo hair cutting ceremony)
- Kisenosato's danpatsushiki
- And much more!
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Sources, Links, Videos, Etc.
Here are some of the English-language sources used for this article.
Here are some of the main Japanese-language sources used for this episode.
To listen to the latest episode of Japan Station check out the link below.
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Japanese Vocabulary List
Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.
- Mage
- 髷 【まげ】 (n) bun (hairstyle); chignon; topknot
- Chonmage
- 丁髷 【ちょんまげ】 (n) (uk) topknot (hair style)
We Want Your Questions
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.
Special Thanks
Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)
Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.
Episode artwork by @pradipta19.
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Full Show Notes
What are you funniest Japanese mistakes? | Ichimon Japan 30
