Tsunokakushi

Japanese bride in hertsunokakushi

TheTsunokakushi(Giác ẩn し)is a type of traditionalheaddressworn bybridesinShinto weddingceremonies inJapan.This is made from a rectangular piece of cloth folded and worn to partially cover bride's hair (in modern days, often awig), worn in thetraditionally-styledbunkin takashimada(Văn kim cao đảo điền).Thetsunokakushiis typically made of white silk, matching the bride's formalkimonooutfit.

Etymology

The term is a compound ofGiác(tsuno,"horn" ) +Ẩn し(kakushi,"hiding" ).This derivation is listed in some sources as a reference to hiding abride's "horns" ofanger,jealousy,or other negative qualities, in order to present a morevirtuousimage for thewedding.However, this interpretation might be afolk etymologyresulting from a shift in the reading and meaning.

This specificheaddressis described as arising in theEdo periodas something worn by women when visiting a Buddhist temple.In certain Buddhist sects, women visitors to temples were required to cover theirhairlinesin front, also known as theGiác(sumi,literally “corner”; thehairlinesense possibly in reference to awidow's peak,or in reference to the top "edge" or "corners" of the forehead), the same portion of the hairline that was traditionally shaved off in men's fashions. Theheaddressmay have been known originally as aGiác ẩn し(sumi kakushi,literally “front-hairline hider” ).

Such a shift may have been facilitated by the existence of partial synonymGiác mạo tử(tsuno bōshi,literally “horn hat”, also read assumi bōshiin different contexts), originally referring to a different kind ofheaddressused since at least theHeian periodof 794–1185. This consisted of a triangular piece of material with one corner pointing straight up from the wearer's forehead, andGiác(tsuno,“horn” ) referred to the peak of the triangle.

See also

• Wedding