Apparently, beards are not popular in Japan, sometimes not even mustaches. Have you ever wondered why Japanese people do not have or do not wear beards? Is it because they do not grow much facial hair? Or do they consider it a lack of hygiene? In this article, I will try to explain everything about beards in Japan.
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Beard in Japan
In Japan, they use the word hige [髭] to refer to facial hair, whether beard or mustache. You can specify if it is a beard or mustache by saying the location before hige. Even the Japanese language does not seem to like beards, as the pronunciation hige is also used in the word self-deprecation [卑下].
By nature, Japanese people do not tend to grow much facial hair, to the point that there are men who have never needed to shave. Although Japanese women do not care about pubic hair removal, some consider it a lack of hygiene for men to have beards.
Another thing that makes it difficult for men to wear beards in Japan is the law of many Japanese companies that do not allow the use of beards, and the population does not seem interested in fighting against it. The fact is that beards are not considered popular or attractive in Japan, and they can create a violent and rebellious image.
The history of beards in Japan
In the past, beards were seen in Japan as a symbol of power, especially among samurai who wanted to create a serious and dangerous appearance. Some samurai even wore false beards to make a good impression. This is exactly what led to the unpopularity of beards.
The hige (beard) represented the fighting spirit of a samurai, and when the country became a civil government, wearing a beard meant rebelling against that government. Thus, many samurai of the time shaved their beards, and some tied their hair in a knot or bun at the back of their heads.
Discrimination increased when they began to use the word ketou [毛唐] to refer to foreigners. The Ainu people were also known for wearing mustaches, and other high-ranking individuals after the Meiji era also wore mustaches and beards and even stood out for it. Even in the last century, it was not uncommon to find men with beards.
How is the beard viewed in Japan today?
Some famous people wear beards, such as contemporary artist Takashi Murakami, Hayao Miyazaki, Hideo Kojima, Sailor Fuku Ojisan [Hideaki Kobayashi], Yamada Takayuki, and Jumpei Yasuda. Young people do not usually wear beards because girls do not like that style; they prefer a cute face, the standard of male beauty in Japan.
I can say for sure that there are no negative stigmas regarding beards. Even Japanese people have joked by using Azuki beans to make fake beards. The truth is that many Japanese who can grow beards do so because they are descendants of the Ainu or are elderly and have decided not to shave their faces.
Currently, it is also not rare or wrong to find men with beards; it is just not something popular due to the simple fact that Japanese genetics does not provide a beautiful beard for most people today. It is also very common for hair removal for leisure, which decreases the chances of a Japanese person thinking about growing a beard.
These are just aspects related to Japanese culture; there is no prohibition of beards in Japan. Even in Brazil, beards are not as popular as in Europe. What is strange is to know that Japan is a cold country, and beards could warm men’s faces. What do you think about this subject?
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