Comb and hairpin

About the work

A comb and hairpin from Taishō era. Example of kanzashi (hair ornaments used in traditional Japanese hairstyles).

Kanzashi were first used in Japan during the Jōmon period (14,000–300 BCE). During that time, a single thin rod or stick was considered to have mystical powers that could ward off evil spirits, so people would wear them in their hair. This is also when some of the first predecessors of the modern Japanese hair comb began to appear.

Comb and hairpin is available in the public domain via Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication .