Nihongami is one of many traditional Japanese

Culture of Japan

The culture of Japan has evolved greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric Jōmon period to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe and North America...

 hairstyles

Hairstyles

Hairstyles is a title used for international editions of a professional hairdressing magazine originally published in Barcelona, Spain under the name Peluquerias. The founder of the magazine is Spanish hairdresser Lluis Llongueras....

, dating to the Edo period

Edo period

The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....

, today most often seen on maiko (geisha

Geisha

, Geiko or Geigi are traditional, female Japanese entertainers whose skills include performing various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance.-Terms:...

 apprentices). Traditionally, two sides of the hair stick out until it curves to the back. The hair is pulled in the back as well in the front.

Other maiko hairstyles include Wareshinobu (only worn during the actual apprenticeship, with a round curve on the top and sides and a round bun in the middle), Ofuku, Yakko-shimada, Katsuyama, and Sakko

Sakko

The sakko hairstyle is used by maiko today, but was used in the Edo period for a wife to show dedication to her husband. Maiko use it for a ceremony called Erikae, or from maiko to geiko. Maiko use black wax to stain their teeth as well as this. Crane items kanzashi are added as well as...

. Gion Kobu maiko wear a special hairstyle for the Miyako Odori.

Nihongami requires special combs and supplies, such as a special wax called Bintsuke. Kanzashi

Kanzashi

are hair ornaments used in traditional Japanese hairstyles. Some believe they may also have been used for defence in an emergency.In the English-speaking world, the term "kanzashi" is sometimes applied to the folded cloth flowers that traditionally adorned tsumami kanzashi, or to the technique used...

, special hair ornaments, usually accompany this style.

Eventually, a maiko often gets a bald spot on the crown of her head from the continued tugging and from scratching the roots with kanzashi tips.

Other Japanese hairstyles:

• Shimada
  Shimada (hairstyle)
  The Shimada is a women's hairstyle in Japan, similar to a chignon. Its modern usage is mainly limited to geisha, but during the Edo period it was also worn by ordinary girls in their late teens...
  
  
• Mae Ware
• Oshiyun
• Kikugasane
• Bunkin Shimada
• Oshidori No Hina