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Post by Eowyn on Jun 7, 2005 12:41:57 GMT -5
Does anyone know why some samurais have part of their head shaven while others have their hair intact?
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Post by TheBo on Jun 7, 2005 12:51:53 GMT -5
I was pondering that one myself, Eowyn. At first, I thought the shave-head ones were just older (higher up in status), but Wazi-whosit (the one who stole Mi-jin) had his bald pate the whole time. Then I thought, Duh! Maybe they were just the bald guys! But that doesn't seem likely. Maybe it was an individual fashion statement? (Hah! Hah! It is to laugh!)
Bo
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Post by chigirl68 on Jun 7, 2005 12:56:10 GMT -5
I too have pondered this question. I am sure we will get some great feed back in here. Until then I found a couple of things on the topic but no info on why some do and some don't. Maybe it is personal preference. The first is from this web site www.geocities.com/scaledun/primer.htmlMale samurai wear their hair long, and bound up in various styles. Though the classic style, in which the top of the head is shaved and the rest of the hair oiled into a queue which is folded forward over the crown, is popular, there are a number of other hairstyles. The simplest version is tying the hair into a knot or ponytail at the back of the head. Alternatively, the hair is wrapped with a ribbon so that it sticks out and up, like a brush; with this style, the crown may or may not be shaved. Many helmets have an opening on the back of the head through which the hair can be pulled. Many Crane dye their hair white, in remembrance of the first Daidoji, while some Lion dye theirs golden. The Dragon frequently shave their heads entirely, monk-style, and sometimes decorate their bald pates with tattoos. The next is from this web site www.pbs.org/empires/japan/enteredo_8.htmlWARDROBE AND HAIR Samurai warriors took great care styling their hair, which they pulled back into a topknot called a "chomage." For battle, samurai warriors shaved the tops of their heads, which reduced the heat under their heavy helmets, and wore their hair straight on the sides. When not wearing helmets, they pulled the side and back hair into a topknot |
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Post by TheBo on Jun 7, 2005 13:22:22 GMT -5
I have several "favorite parts" of the last linked article, chigirl, but this is my favorite favorite:
"A samurai going to town for pleasure would often hide his face with a hat (often one shaped like a basket) to avoid being recognized just in case he was disobeying any rules."
It just made me laugh about all the Japanese spies we see in the historical dramas--I don't know why Chosun didn't instantly arrest anyone with a basket on their head, LOL!
Oddly, it looks like my "personal style" theory might hold water! Whoda known!
The geocities site you quote states it contains info from some "RPG" sites. (I was curious as to the several mentions of factions--crane, scorpion--and the use of present tense on this site, so I googled away.) For those who don't know, RPG are "role playing games"--the most famous of which is probably "Dungeons & Dragons." Although their information is probably firmly rooted in fact, I assume there is some imaginative "puffing" going on, so take this into account.
Bo
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Post by Heather on Jun 7, 2005 14:56:21 GMT -5
They weren't baskets, but the usual "rush hats" worn by most Asians during that period (even in Chosun) especially among commoners and travelers. They have that weave pattern that makes them resemble baskets. Picture references: www.shop-japan.co.jp/english-boku/warring5-s.htmAs for the shaving of the head, chigirl's right. It is customary as per their house rules for the generals to keep their heads partially bald for wearing helmets. Those of lower rank you'll notice don't wear the great kabuto helmets of the Shogun so they keep their full head of hair. So it is a matter of status, but also 'cuz it's practical for those warring periods. |
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Post by TheBo on Jun 7, 2005 15:32:52 GMT -5
Yes, Heather, I know it wasn't actually a basket. I was eliding my reference, girl, and making a joke.
Bo
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Post by Heather on Jun 7, 2005 16:05:52 GMT -5
Yes, I know it was a joke but I was just trying to post something helpful in reference for people visiting the forum who may not know what they are. Sorry.
Please don't call me by that condesending "girl".
I apologize for breaking into your conversation and also if anything I said was offensive or touchy. It was not my intent to upset anyone. Please delete the previous three posts if possible so Eowyn's legitimate thread isn't hampered in any way.
I will take this as my cue that I am not welcome and will stop visiting the forum.
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Post by TheBo on Jun 7, 2005 16:34:26 GMT -5
I apologize for breaking into your conversation and also if anything I said was offensive or touchy. It was not my intent to upset anyone. Please delete the previous three posts if possible so Eowyn's legitimate thread isn't hampered in any way. No, Heather, I will apologize to you. I was not using the term "girl" to be condescending, but rather, in a conversational, joshing manner, just between us "girls"--although I know full well that in some contexts, it's extremely condescending, I did not use it in that context. It would not occur to me that you would be offended by my friendly rejoinder. You don't have to leave. All you have to do is yell at me, I apologize. I should not have treated you as if you were some old friend who knew me well. Which is, in fact, who I thought you were--I suppose there must be more than one Heather! (Imagine that.) Please don't go. Bo |
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Post by Heather on Jun 7, 2005 18:05:22 GMT -5
I lied. I'm back. And that's okay. I've only ever been a random visitor here, and a random Heather  , so I just wrongly assumed by your brief reply that I had upset you somehow. It is hard to judge a person by text alone, and like you said we don't know each other. And I do tend towards the negative. Sorry too. So we're square? And so this isn't totally off topic, here's some good resource links to find Samurai info and references: www.japan-guide.com/e/e2127.html/ www.japanese-armor.com/index.shtml |
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Post by Eowyn on Jun 8, 2005 8:43:21 GMT -5
Hi Heather! It's good to see you stop by! Thanks for the info. The tengai hat is really large! It says they are for "komsou." Do you know who they are?
Chigirl, thanks for those sites. Mystery solved. How very interesting: shaving to reduce overheating under their helmets. lol, I suppose this also reduced acne breakouts!
Bo, my favorite was when you said "Wazi-whosit!" ;D
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Post by chigirl68 on Jun 8, 2005 8:51:57 GMT -5
y'r Welcome Eowyn. I would have liked to get more but we're a little busy at work.
Welcome aboard Heather. I wish I could take credit for the information provided but I rely a lot on my search engines.
Thanks for your input.
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Post by TheBo on Jun 8, 2005 12:50:11 GMT -5
Well, actually, I'm rather round  Such interesting links. Especially the "Japanese-Armor" one--gets my curiosity going on who would be posting such information. It almost sounds like a trade group, eh? Eowyn, I had a similar thought about acne, lol. (But not on this show, because every samurai's head is covered with rubber!) Bo |
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Post by Heather on Jun 9, 2005 12:16:44 GMT -5
Hello, and thanks for the welcome!  For Eowyn, the word komsou kind of confused me. It's probably one of those abbreviated terms that I haven't come across yet. At first I thought it meant komuin, or an official public servant. But it could also refer to something worn by family heads during kankonsousai (family ceremonies or celebrations). Not exactly sure myself, but man, would you have to have good balance to wear that thing! I think every time I titled my head it would slide off. I love the Japanese-Armour website. I don't know about you, TheBo, but I wish I had the money for a full suit of armour! Although, I'm barely over five feet and a weakling, so it would probably crush me. Dunno about a trade group, but I'm all into weaponry and could send you to a ton of different sites. A girl's gotta have a hobby, right? |
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Post by Eowyn on Jun 9, 2005 12:23:45 GMT -5
I love the Japanese-Armour website. I don't know about you, TheBo, but I wish I had the money for a full suit of armour! Although, I'm barely over five feet and a weakling, so it would probably crush me. Dunno about a trade group, but I'm all into weaponry and could send you to a ton of different sites. A girl's gotta have a hobby, right? Most definitely, Heather: a girl certainly should have a hobby! lol, you could be my sister! I'm a weakling too (but 5/8 and a half).  |
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Post by TheBo on Jun 9, 2005 13:40:27 GMT -5
....I love the Japanese-Armour website. I don't know about you, TheBo, but I wish I had the money for a full suit of armour! Although, I'm barely over five feet and a weakling, so it would probably crush me....I'm all into weaponry and could send you to a ton of different sites. A girl's gotta have a hobby, right? Ugh. Armor. Hot, don't like hot... As for site links, there're a lotta guys (and I use that term inclusive of women) on this board having long, dry (to Bo ) discussions about armor and weaponry. I think they'd be thrilled silly if you posted such things...but if you post them in this thread, they probably wouldn't notice because it's, you know, girly (hairstyles), LOL... Bo |
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, so I just wrongly assumed by your brief reply that I had upset you somehow. It is hard to judge a person by text alone, and like you said we don't know each other. And I do tend towards the negative. Sorry too. So we're square?
