Maiko Hair Caused Bald Spots
The maiko hair style is work of art. After the hairdresser tied up her natural hair, set it in place with wax, and decorated it with ornaments, it became a heavy sculpture. To achieve the maiko look, stylists pulled the maiko’s hair tight to create the foundation for the style. Over time, tightly pulling the hair caused it to fall out in a small spot, leaving it permanently bald. In a display of professional diplomacy, the geisha community put a positive spin on this. They declared it a symbol of the demanding work a maiko invested into her training. The spot was about the size of a five yen coin, and Despite being a badge of honor, the hair never grew back, even years after leaving geisha service. Some geisha had surgery to cut out the bald spot and ‘close’ the hair back together.