A collection of five beaded type hair ornaments of hair accessories for the Japanese traditional coiffure

 

CONDITION: good vintage condition with acceptable wear

 

SIZE:  each string approx 4 ins (10 cm)

 

MATERIALS: glass

 

DESCRIPTION:

 

A collection of six beaded faux coral and faux ornaments used for decorating a traditional Japanese hair dressing. Each comprises eight or nine beads threaded onto a string ready for use.

 

The final illustration is taken from a book of traditional Japanese hair dressing and shows how such ornaments were used. Red ball topped ornaments are traditionally worn in the winter months and green in summer.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION:

 

Some 400 years ago, Japan took simple hair accessories and transformed them into elegant beauty ornaments that became a work of art. As well as Japanese kushi (combs) and kanzashi (hairpins) other popular ornaments were those which encircled the base of the chignon, as depicted in the above illustration. These most often comprised strings of coral or glass beads in various colors, similar to those illustrated in this listing.