Loading

Tortoiseshell hairpin with wisteria trellis and butterfly ornament

Unknown19th century, Edo period

Tachibana Museum

Tachibana Museum
Fukuoka-ken, Japan

This kind of hairpin is called “Kogai” which was originally a simple rod used for pinning up one’s hair or scratching one’s head without collapsing one’s hairdo. But it gradually became more luxurious with ornaments made of gold, silver, tortoiseshell or ivory attached to both ends, rather than being practical. The Kogai made of tortoiseshell, especially, was supposed to have been preferred by women of samurai families.

Details

  • Title: Tortoiseshell hairpin with wisteria trellis and butterfly ornament
  • Creator: Unknown
  • Date Created: 19th century, Edo period
  • Physical Dimensions: (kogai) 19.2cm (ornament) 8.1 × 9.1cm
  • Type: Tortoise-shell work

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Flash this QR Code to get the app
Google apps