Thank you for viewing. This is an antique hairpin adorned with a jade bead. Jade has been considered a stone of protection and good fortune since ancient times, and has often been used in accessories for Japanese attire. Its name comes from the beautiful bird "kingfisher" (kawasemi), with "翡" (hi) representing red feathers and "翠" (sui) representing green feathers. It was named for the vivid green of the jade stone, which resembles the kingfisher's green feathers. In China, it was loved as "玉" (gyoku) by emperors and nobles, and in Japan, it has been used as a comma-shaped bead (magatama) since the Jomon period, symbolizing protection from evil, longevity, and prosperity. Adorning a hairpin with jade means to imbue the hair with beauty and protective power, and is considered a high-class adornment. The charm lies in its antique texture, and the jade bead stands out impressively even in a calm atmosphere. Geishas and maiko who lived in the former pleasure quarters valued the elegance of reflecting the seasons in every detail of their attire. Among them, the jade hairpin of summer was treasured as a beauty tool to create a refreshing coolness. The lustrous green of jade brought a streak of coolness into the hot summer air, and as a consideration for those who saw it, it delivered coolness to both the eyes and the heart. In addition, jade also has meanings of protection from evil and longevity, and for women living in the glamorous yet harsh world of the pleasure quarters, it was like an amulet containing a wish to protect themselves. On a summer night, the shimmering jade's brilliance under the lights was cool and somewhat ephemeral, and it would have added further elegance and depth to their demeanor. This is an item that shines in elegant attire. Recommended as a collection piece. #koudo #香堂 #こうどう koudo 香堂 こうどう japanese kimono jewelry kanzashi hairpin ※ Please refrain from copying and listing the product content.