SOLD Japanese Vintage Hair Comb Set - 1930s - 1940s Showa Era - Kogai and Kushi

  Here is a Vintage Japanese Hair comb set consisting of two pieces. The pair of hair accessories have been decorated using Japanese Makie (Gold lacquer). On the 'D' shaped comb or 'Kushi' the decoration is rich showing a pattern of flowers, leaves and symbols. The gold lacquer work goes down just to the edge of the tines and is repeated on the reverse side of the comb too. The comb has an artist's signature, also in gold lacquer, on both sides. The Kogai or ornamental hair bar has a plain gold lacquer outline design on the ends on both sides with a golden flower on the tips also. These Kogai pull apart and this one has a wooden middle. I have been told that Japanese ladies in bygone times secreted a sharp steel blade within their Kogai which could be used like a dagger if they needed it! This Vintage Hair Comb set is a gorgeous blonde colour with a darkened middle to the bar. It is most likely a Faux Tortoiseshell or Becco but has extremely fine decoration.This is a Vintage hair accessory set which I believe dates from the 1930s - 1940s and would therefore be classed as early Showa era. The Comb measures almost 4 inches by 2.25 inches and is just over one eighth of an inch thick. It is in very good condition with all the lacquer work intact and perfect with just a little bit of wear to the tines which shows it has been used . The Kogai, which is 6 and a quarter inches long and a little over half an inch wide at the ends tapering to a little over quarter of an inch in the middle is also in very good order. This vintage haircomb set is boxed in a faded orange red velvet case with cream fabric lining. The box shows signs of its age and could only be described as fair condition, its use has preserved the comb set inside and it is a useful case for carrying and storing this vintage comb set.

JEWELLERY or ACCESSORY DETAILS

Designer or Brand: None

Country of Origin: Japan

Condition: Very Good

Decade: 1930s - 1940s

Era: Vintage ( 1920s - 1980s) Japanese Showa Era

Type: Hair Comb Set - Kushi and Kogai

Material: Faux Tortoiseshell or Becco with Gold lacquer detail

Some information about this kind of  Vintage Hair Comb set from Japan

Originally, wearing hair accessories of this type was the prerogative of the wives of the Samurai, reflecting the strict feudal system in Japan which prevented those of a lower status from displaying such ornamentation. As time went on however Japanese woman of all classes were allowed to adorn themselves. However, hair ornaments were much more than mere accessories. The comb progressed from a utilitarian object used in the feminine hair do to a highly decorative object. The Japanese, with their inclination to beautify even ordinary every day objects, ensured that hair ornaments became artistic pieces on which craftsmen and artists used their imagination and skills.