Featured Update on my Japanese Comb collection

Welcome to Shamster’s Kushi comb museum again this time three charming combs and a kazanshi hairpin!

 

So the first one- a gorgeous wooden comb lacquered in gold and painted with various patterns. I think Meiji period. And just how satisfyingly thick it is!

 

Next- a plain tortoiseshell comb, usually called half-moon shaped. After inspecting the layers on the side, I think it might be tortoiseshell veneered ox or horse hoof.

Based on size, shape and teeth, I think Edo for this one

 

Finally- this is not meant to be a pair but they look great when put together!
Both could be from Meiji era, although I suspect the hairpin might be earlier as the two feet are thicker compared to Meiji examples. Just my thought!

 

might be a contender for most fabulous (sammie) object with the Hair pin

(imagining holding it like a wand)

as a general rule is it (T/S) heavy or light compared to other materials like plastic etc ?

because the wand playful looks quite wonderfully weighty

 

I would say it is relatively light, but might be heavier than you think I was surprised to find out that my biggest comb weighs about 50 grams, when I think well it’s like plastic so should be feather-light! And playing with too many TS items makes me gradually lose my idea of weights of similar materials

 

a great colour match with those two as well

 

I bought the hairs tick first, when I received it I immediately started hunting for a matching comb even the amber hue of the shell matches!

 

These are all very lovely! Thank you for showing us, shamster. Does the thickness of the largest wood one - make it heavy for the hair? Or did they use a very lightweight and soft sort of wood?

 

All stunning, as usual! The first one is my favorite.

So....when are you having your hair done and a photoshoot with them?

 

Yes it’s fairly heavy, but I guess all the hair those ladies put on top of their head would be way more heavier, making it negligible and these combs might be for special occasions only, so they don’t have to wear it every day. But, I won’t be surprised if they were willing to bear that weight just to display their wealth & status …

 

I have relatively short hair, so unable to fix them on my head properly. But I do enjoy just holding them over my head in front of a mirror

 

I've done similar - I have a hair clip that was given to me last year. If I still had my teenaged hair I'd wear it. Since I don't it'll probably be given away at some point.

 

That's what wigs are for! Especially with those elaborate hairstyles. I have a friend who's done a couple photoshoots in Japan so she could enjoy the look.

 

indeed it will look like a mini museum if I put a wig near the display case and fix a sample comb there!

 

Or just collect more and put them in a glass top box like I do

 

Aaaah that would look AMAZING lol. On a nice looking head form? And then you could change out the piece(s) on display in the wig?? It would look so good.

That's what I do with my cameos but I've since put some "lesser" necklaces (that I bought to wear out without worry) on black velvet "chest" displays and it can make a nice vignette with both raised and boxed display.

 

That museum specializes in hair accessories also has these mini wigs on display which is cute, but life sized ones look creepy if put at home

 

Not always. Some African-american women have collections of wigs, so they can easily change hairstyles without sitting in a hairdresser's chair for three hours.

 

I think wigs are an art form and an accessory so it's totally understandable (and practical!) to put them on display where they can be enjoyed by the wearer...same as some do with bags, hat, shoes, jewelry, etc.