The Complicated and Painful Maiko Hair
Maiko hairstyling started with brushing out the hair. Stylists then pressed, teased, tied it into the style appropriate for the girl’s rank, such as wareshinobu style. The wareshinobu style included two padded silk pieces added into the hair, with a large bun (Kanokodome) is formed around that, split so the red piece is visible. The color and style of the cloth changes as the maiko advances. A red cloth, the chinkoro, tied into the front of the maiko hairstyle.
Finally, the stylist set the hair with bintsuke, a waxy pomade, stiffening the hair and holding it in place. And keeping it in place is vital; if the Maiko messed up her hairstyle, she had to undergo the process again. The maiko so dreaded the process that they went for long stretches of time without washing her hair to avoid another trip to the stylist beyond their once-a-week visit.
