Among the many types of kanzashi, flat kanzashi are similar to hairpins, and did you know that they have been used for practical purposes since ancient times, such as easily removing one of the flat kanzashi that is attached to the back and using the foot of the kanzashi to fix loose hair, scratch the head, or use the ear pick attached to the end to clean the ears?
In Arishima Takeo's novel "Constellation," a beautiful woman skillfully cuts open the seal of a letter with a flat silver hairpin that she has pulled out of her traditional Japanese hairstyle.
Flat hairpins have been widely used as decorations for Japanese hairstyles since the Edo period. They also look great when tied up in a yokoumaki style with just one hairpin.
As is often depicted in ukiyo-e paintings of beautiful women in traditional Japanese clothing, you can wear more than just one kanzashi. The more you wear, the more luxurious it becomes, and the more beautiful it looks, not just pretty, so it's fun to choose a kanzashi that suits you. There are many different designs for kanzashi, and for example, the traditional flat kanzashi made from silver is also known as Ginpei.
In the case of Japanese hairstyles, flat kanzashi are inserted diagonally or straight across into the roots of the hair tied at the back of the head. Inserting it into the roots of the tied hair is more convenient as it prevents the kanzashi from moving around and the hair from coming undone.
