Kanzashi are hair ornaments, used to create traditional hairstyles.
Kanzashi came into wide use during the Edo period. During that era
artisans created more decorative, elegant and expensive ornaments that
mimicked the same trend in kimono design. Today they are often crafted
of hard wood and decorated with gold paint. Finely crafted kanzashi are
often handed down from mother to daughter as heirlooms.
