Katsura (geisha wig)
The katsura ( Japanese 鬘 dt. Wig ) is a wig worn by geishas. It is intricately entwined and made of real hair. Until the late sixties it was common among geishas to style their own hair and wigs were therefore not necessary. Over the years, however, there were fewer and fewer hairdressers who mastered the art of traditional hairstyle, so that many geishas switched to wigs.
Manufacturing
Katsuras are made from natural hair that has been cleaned and then colored in a natural color. Each katsura is made individually for each geisha and is therefore unique. Before production, measurements such as head circumference, face length etc. are taken in order to produce a wig that best underlines the face and the stature of the geisha.
Since a geisha's katsura is in use almost every day, it is coiffed twice a month by a wig maker. The average price for a katsura is around 450,000 yen .
A katsura is worn with various brackets and clasps called kanzashi . There are also different katsuras.
Katsura species
- shimada : for formal occasions
- tsubushi-shimada : for less formal occasions
- mae-ware : worn when a geisha is dancing a male role in a theatrical performance