Nijū

Nijū [而亮; にじゅう] is a term which literally means 'beautiful face/image', and is synonymous with jūza. Both terms are inherently gender-neutral. Girls are usually called jūya and boys are known as jūdō. The term is well-known throughout the country and has existed since at least the 15th century.
Nijū were (and still can be) common subjects for Kantonese artists, and even spawned a popular genre, known as nijūgata, which was dedicated to representing and appreciating beauty in all its forms, but particularly that of people. 
== Beautiful image in Kanton ==
Throughout most of Kantonese history, tall height, pale skin, fine features, a rounded face and long, sleek black hair have been revered as typical beautific features in both men and women. However, female beauty standards were often more strict and specific. Makeup was extremely popular dating back to the Heii period, with white powdered faces, full eyebrows, and heavily kohled eyes being enduring fashions. Makeup was also considered gender-neutral, acceptable for use by both sexes, especially in high society. Women were thought to be at the height of their beauty at around 15-16, while men were considered at their best around 18-20. 
From the 18th century onwards, natural beauty became much more prized. Makeup become largely unpopular, and was considered old-fashioned, or at worst, trickery; it was reserved for performers, such as senkō, stage actors and prostitutes. A source from the 1780s describes the ideal features of a man or woman as being 'naturally pale skin, of a white colour, a face drawn in pleasant innocence - a high proud nose, a round kind jaw, and even white teeth'. Large, slanted eyes were regarded as particularly beautiful, and feature heavily in many contemporary artworks.
== Famous nijū ==
=== Six Beauties of Kanton (六而亮, minijū) ===
The term minijū ('six beauties') refers to six different pre-modern women who were considered the most beautiful in Kanton.
==== Three Beauties of Old (koheijū) ====
* Tō no Yume - accomplished 13th-century poet
* Nōma no Chio - 14th century court lady, author of the famous diary Twilight Hours
* Dai no Miuri - 11th century writer, author of The Mirror World
==== Three Beauties of The Present (kotaijū) ====
* Aibi Akahara - 18th century noblewoman and poet
* Merami Kyū - 19th century poet and novelist
* Reijin Tomoda - 19th century model, diarist and noblewoman
Hamae Prefecture is traditionally said to be 'the land of beauties', and is famous for supposedly producing many attractive men and women with round faces, clear pale skin and tall stature. Fittingly, both Tō no Yume and Reijin Tomoda were from this region.