Japanese Women's Hairstyles Through the Ages

Vertical Mage - Hair piled on top, with a comb in front, 1790s

Print by Utamaro Kitagawa, c. 1791-1793.

Library of Congress, no restrictions

The Edo Period was "the golden era" of Japanese women's hairstyles. All kinds of different mages, or buns, became fashionable during an explosion of hairstyling creativity.

This elegant hairstyle from the 1790s features a high-piled mage, or bun, on the top of the head, secured with a front comb and several hair-sticks.

• Kepatsu - Hair Bound with a Red String, c. 600 A.D.
• Taregami - Long, Straight Hair, c. 794 -1345
• Shimada Mage - Tied-back hair with a comb on top, c. 1650-1780
• Shimada Mage - Tied-back hair with a large comb on top, c. 1750-1868
• Box Shimada Mage - Tied-back hair with a box at back, c. 1750-1868
• Vertical Mage - Hair piled on top, with a comb in front, 1790s
• Yoko-hyogo - Mountains of hair on top with wings on the sides, late Edo Period
• Gikei - Two topknots and many hair tools, Edo Period c. 1804-1808
• Maru Mage - Huge, waxed bun with a bincho spreader, 18th -19th centuries
• Osuberakashi - Simple tied-back hair, with a high front, c. 1850-1912