Why Did Samurais Have This Haircut?
By: Daniel Choi
Tags: History, Japan, Asian History, Samurai, Japanese

Why Did Samurais Have This Haircut?

Chonmage (Mangadejapan.com)

Have you ever wondered what was going on with the hair that samurai wore? Chonmage (丁髷 in Japanese) is a traditional Japanese haircut popularly worn during the Edo Era (1603–1868) by samurais. This haircut shaves the hair on the front and top of one’s head and only leaves the hair in the rear part of their head, tying it in a knot. How did this bizarre haircut become a staple for samurais and what is its history?

Naming

Chonmage is 丁髷 in Japanese because the haircut looks like the character 丁 (Chon) from above. Combined with 髷 (Mage), which means a bun type hair knot, the name Chonmage was given to the hairstyle.

History

The chonmage was most likely started in the Heian Period (794 -1185) of Japan. During this time, most of Japan’s population resided in the southern part of the island where the climate was hot and humid during the summer. This was especially irritating for soldiers who had to fight in heavy armor. The armor that these soldiers wore was around 70 pounds in weight. Fighting in heavy armor during a hot and humid day could exhaust any soldier due to high body temperatures. As a solution to this problem, soldiers started shaving the top of their heads to stay cool and kept the hair in the back of their heads to keep the helmet from falling off easily. In short, it was to keep their body temperature from rising too much during battles.

A portrait of a samurai wearing chonmage (Wikipedia)

The chonmage was popularized in the Sengoku Period (“The warring states period”, 1467–1615) when wars were frequently fought by local warlords over the control of the island. Samurais became an important figure in Japanese society during this time. They kept their chonmage at all times to prepare for a possible battle which made the chonmage a signature style for samurai. Also, the chonmage was worn to warn anyone that they were always prepared for a possible fight.

In the peaceful Edo Period, the chonmage was stuck with the samurai class, although it served no practical purpose. As samurai became bureaucrats, chonmage became a status symbol.

The chonmage disappeared into history when the Japanese imperial government ordered everyone to cut their hair in the western-style following the Meiji Restoration of 1868. Samurai also disappeared into history during this time when Japan opened its gate to western influence and began its industrialization. There was a major backlash against the order to cut their hair but when the emperor himself cut his hair short every samurai followed.

Modern Version

The Sumo Chonmage (nippon.com)

Today, chonmage only exists in historical dramas and sumo wrestlers in Japan. Sumo is a very traditional sport and one of the traditional aspects that it preserves is chonmage. Their chonmage is different in that it does not require shaving of the top hair. Although some may still shave the top, it is rare to find in sumo today. When a wrestler retires, they cut their chonmage to symbolize their retirement from the sport and the traditions that come along with it.