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Thehime cut (Japanese:姫カット,IPA:[çimekatːo],HEE-meh;lit. 'princess cut') is ahairstyle consisting of straight, usually cheek-length sidelocks and frontalfringe. The rest of the hair is usually worn long andstraightened. The style is thought to have originated, or at least become common, in the Imperial court during 794-1185 CE, whennoble women would sometimes grow out their hair for their entire lives.[1]
According to Professor Tomita ofYamano College of Aesthetics, thehime cut originated from the hairstyles of noblewomen in theHeian period in Japan.[1][2] Noblewomen in the Heian period had their hair styled in thesubekarashi (垂髪) andamasogi styles.[further explanation needed] When a woman reached the age of 16, the hair around her ears would be cut shorter than the rest of her hair in a ceremony calledbinsogi (鬢削ぎ), resulting in short forelocks at the front and long hair at the back. In theEdo period, this ceremony was held on June 16 at the age of 16, and a woman's fiancé or her father or brother cut her hair.[3][4]
Though not known as thehime cut at the time, the name "hime cut" seems to have been retroactively applied in association with princesses of the Heian aristocracy, due to their depiction in media with the hairstyle.
A 1970sidol,Megumi Asaoka, is known in Japan for popularizing thehime cut, which became hertrademark.[5][6]
Thehime cut is high maintenance for those without naturally straight hair, and requires frequent touch-ups on the sidelocks and front bangs in order to maintain its shape.Hair straightening is sometimes used to achieve the hairstyle's straight appearance, as well asstraightening irons and specially formulatedshampoos for straight hair. Humidity is also cited as a problem with certain hair types, as the curling caused by excess humidity can change the shape of the hair. Occasionally,hair extensions are used for the side locks in order to prevent this.
The hairstyle is frequently seen inLolita fashion, especially the classification of Gothic Lolita. Within the Lolita community, thehime cut is considered a more elegant alternative to other styles that may require frequent curling andcrimping that can permanently damage the hair.[citation needed]
The dictionary definition ofhime cut at Wiktionary