When you see samurai in historical dramas and movies, you’ve probably noticed that the top of their heads are bald. (Some might have lost their hair due to thinning, but) This hairstyle, known as ちょんまげ chonmagé, was created by the samurai intentionally by shaving their hair.

Why was being bald the typical hairstyle of a samurai?

Originally, long hair was tied back and raised high in order for the nobles to wear a crown called an 烏帽子 eboshi (crowned headgear).

The samurai carried on this hairstyle, but their purpose was different. It was for keeping the head cool when you wear a 兜 kabuto (armor helmet), and the patch of hair functioned as a cushion.

After the end of the Sengoku war era (1467-1615) and the beginning of the peaceful Edo period (1603-1868), samurai hardly had any occasions of wearing armor.

However, because it was a hairstyle that showed courage to go into battle at any time, it became popular not only among samurai but also among the commoners. In fact, there are several types of chonmage, as the popularity of chonmagé hair styles change rapidly.

*The content is based on personal studies and experience
There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects

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