SALE Collection of 10 Early Taisho Era Japanese Hair Combs

Antiques : Combs : Japanese

 

This is a great group of 10 early Taisho era Japanese hair combs, dating from circa 1920s-1930s. The traditional nihon gami, or hairstyle that developed during the Edo period was an elaborately decorative creation that required a lot of time and maintenance. Japanese women did not wear jewelry, instead they arranged their hair and wore beautiful combs - kushi, and hairpins - kanzashi.

The sharp pointed stick-like ends of the combs had a double function as a weapon if the need ever arose. There are stories of female assassins dipping the pointed end of a comb in poison, or simple using the stick to fend off an attacker. Today the decorative combs are usually only used for special occasions when kimono is worn, and by the Geisha and Maiko. Grooming combs were and still are made from boxwood. These are still used today by Geisha, Maiko, and Sumo wrestlers, along with camellia oil and a hair product.

This collection contains both decorative and grooming combs. There are 3 long handled wooden grooming combs - ranging from 8" -8.5" long, one of simulated wood plastic with a shorter handle, and one without a handle in a darker wood.

The decorative combs include:

One hair stick with carved lacquered ends. 6" long x .5" across. Note that this stick has a separation at the joining point in the center so it doesn't hold tightly together anymore.

One 2 pronged tortoise shell comb with gold decoration on the top. It measures 3.75" x 1" across the top. Good condition.

One very dark tortoise shell arched comb with sprays of flowers in gold across the top on both sides. There are nibbles to the teeth of this comb, though all teeth are present. It measures 3.75" long x .75" tall.

One simple black arched comb with signature and gold decorated spine. One tiny flea bite on one tooth. Either black lacquer of tortoise shell. Measures 3" x 1".

One simple shaped arched comb with highly carved spine. The carving is a repeated geometric concentric arches pattern with stylized flowers in the center. Gold highlights bring out the design. Small chipped section on one side in the center below the carving. This comb appears to be carved lacquer.Measures 3" x 1".

The old decorative Japanese combs are valued and sought after these days. It is even less common to find the more utilitarian long handled grooming combs. What a great find!

Item ID: Ecombs408

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Now on sale!