Category Archives: Beauty

HASEDERA TEMPLE IN NARA AND ITS SUPERSTITIONS

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Stairs at Hasedera Temple

I’m working on a  KeyPoint presentation (PowerPoint for those of you PC people) on the Heian Period of Japan.  I have been exploring temples and shrines. Originally built in the seventh century, it is an oldie but a goodie. There is an 11-faced statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kannon,  which was added in the eighth century by Emperor Shōmu.   By the way, he seems to of been the first egalitarian Emperor because he married a non-royal commoner. Of course she was of a… Continue reading →

The Quest for Beautiful, Sexy Hair

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A woman’s hair is considered not only beautiful but sexy and seductive.Orthodox Jewish women cut their hair when married in order not to be attractive to other men. Muslim women frequently wear the hijab to show modesty and to cover the décolleté and their hair.Christian women often wear a hat to cover their heads (in order to hide their hair during the service)?   I don’t cover my hair. In fact, I often say I spend more money on my hair because I  wear mine… Continue reading →

Being Beautiful

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typical Heian woman

The aristocratic female in Heian Japan also suffered for beauty. We don’t? High heels? Plucking our eyebrows? Desperately trying to fit into the international/New York model ideal of an adolescent body with huge eyes and bulging lips and longer-than-possible legs? The aristocratic females in ancient Japan also held an ideal beauty. They needed to be plump, rounded faces were more attractive than gaunt ones, narrowed eyes, thin noses, and above all long, long shiny, thick black hair. It was common for women to be able… Continue reading →

Golden Age (Heian) of Clothing

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The clothing in the Heian Age  (794-1185)  was nothing but magnificent. Only for the aristocrats, however.  In the higher upper echelons of Heian society, how you dressed was almost as as important as who you were. (Although if you were the Emperor or the Empress, you can get away with a few little mistakes, but not often.) So what was this clothing? It was layered, and each layer had a name. Let me give you a brief introduction. Some  women in earlier Heian times, wore… Continue reading →