1940s Geisha Katsura wig in the Tsubushi Shimada style

Lovely 1940s Geisha Katsura wig in the Tsubushi Shimada style which is worn by full fledged geisha. This one was made by Okamori, in the Minato ward area of Tokyo city.

So rare to find these outside of the okiya i.e. geisha houses or establishments. These wigs require immense time and labour to create and were traditionally made only with the finest quality real human hair. The tsubushi shimada style in particular is only worn by senior geisha to special events, such as banquets, and is a more intricate hairstyle that would be carefully tied with cloth and ornamented with elegant kanzashi or hairpins.

During the heyday of the geisha establishments in the Edo Period, hairstyles would be made every week, with every step of the hairstyle including hair combs being made by traditional artisans in Kyoto and the surrounding areas.

During wartime shortages in 40s, geisha began wearing Katsura or wigs instead, which enabled them to keep to the same meticulous standards of beauty despite hardship and deprivation.

These wigs, intricately styled with camellia and setting wax, were carefully sculpted to fit each individual geisha’s face shape so that no two are exactly the same.

Own a truly remarkable piece of history with this piece. All the more rare for being in excellent vintage; each strand of hair is still perfectly in place and only light wear to its custom carrying case. Even its hair net is still there and in its special carrying case.

Price marked at $1595 AUD.

Wig diameter of approx 50cm (hard to measure due to hairstyle).

Box 31cm wide by 40cm high, 36cm deep