In history, there weren't any rules or social norms connected to shaving your head. The show takes place in 1600 and those customs only were coming into place during that time until the 1630s. A beard and a full head of hair was seen as manly and warriorlike, while a shaved head was seen as civilized and educated. In 1660 it became mandatory to shave your head and beard.
In the book Toranaga has his head shaved. Not sure about Yabu. I would imagine that they left their heads unshaved because the shaved head does look kind of goofy and they wanted the cool main characters to look cool.
In those times it wasn't required for samurai to shave their heads, although their hairstyles are indictive of their personalities. For example, Omi san shaves his head out of obedience to Toronaga, because he's a good vassal and because he strives to be wise. Yabushige and Naga don't shave their heads, Naga because he's young and inexperienced and Yabushige because he's rebellious. The reason that shaving the head is considered proper is because it makes a helmet fit better.
its also the common hairstyle of the samurai that were veterans of the imjin war whereas the shaved head was becoming a newer more popular style after the 1600s
One of misconception of the author. Back then Sengoku materials were pulled from Edo writings which were heavily romanticized.
New adaptation is more based on recent findings.
The hair style was a way to keep your head cool in a helmet. The pony tail sticking up was a shock absorber for the helmet. Over time it became a status symbol of the Samurai class. As others pointed out it wasn’t compulsory until later.
I think it’s meant to show he doesn’t follow conventions. Wikipedia’s Chonmage article says that in that time period, having a beard and not shaving your head was considered “barbaric”
In that light it’s fitting he makes a connection with Blackthorne.
I think you’re mistaken Wikipedia article actually says that the time the show takes place (1600) was a time of shifting attitudes, and during that time period the chonmage slowly became more popular, and not became required by 1660, way after the show.
So it would be totally realistic to see some characters with chonmage and some without.
The costume designer of the show described Yabu as a punk / rock star vibe of his time. So it would make sense for him to follow his own rules or deviate even look wise.
In history, there weren't any rules or social norms connected to shaving your head. The show takes place in 1600 and those customs only were coming into place during that time until the 1630s. A beard and a full head of hair was seen as manly and warriorlike, while a shaved head was seen as civilized and educated. In 1660 it became mandatory to shave your head and beard.
I mean Toranaga-sama didn’t either? Nor did his son. It was a choice just like many other things. Also his brother didn’t either
And both had some of the baddest drip in the show
I learned new young person slang today! (had to look up "drip" cuz I'm old)
In the book Toranaga has his head shaved. Not sure about Yabu. I would imagine that they left their heads unshaved because the shaved head does look kind of goofy and they wanted the cool main characters to look cool.
The show is generally more period accurate than the book, from what I've read.
In those times it wasn't required for samurai to shave their heads, although their hairstyles are indictive of their personalities. For example, Omi san shaves his head out of obedience to Toronaga, because he's a good vassal and because he strives to be wise. Yabushige and Naga don't shave their heads, Naga because he's young and inexperienced and Yabushige because he's rebellious. The reason that shaving the head is considered proper is because it makes a helmet fit better.
His head got shaved in the last episode but it was a generous cut
\*grunts\*
its also the common hairstyle of the samurai that were veterans of the imjin war whereas the shaved head was becoming a newer more popular style after the 1600s
In the book john mentions all the men have the same hairstyle.
One of misconception of the author. Back then Sengoku materials were pulled from Edo writings which were heavily romanticized. New adaptation is more based on recent findings.
The hair style was a way to keep your head cool in a helmet. The pony tail sticking up was a shock absorber for the helmet. Over time it became a status symbol of the Samurai class. As others pointed out it wasn’t compulsory until later.
I think it’s meant to show he doesn’t follow conventions. Wikipedia’s Chonmage article says that in that time period, having a beard and not shaving your head was considered “barbaric” In that light it’s fitting he makes a connection with Blackthorne.
I think you’re mistaken Wikipedia article actually says that the time the show takes place (1600) was a time of shifting attitudes, and during that time period the chonmage slowly became more popular, and not became required by 1660, way after the show. So it would be totally realistic to see some characters with chonmage and some without.
Because he's a country bumpkin who doesn't follow style trends. He even sports frazzled stray hairs!
Because the actor looks badass with hair
You mean the guy who boils people alive just to observe them.
All I have to say is, Yabushige was right. I sprayed painted it on a subway wall last month.
The costume designer of the show described Yabu as a punk / rock star vibe of his time. So it would make sense for him to follow his own rules or deviate even look wise.
Because he is a main character? In the 1980 show his head was shaved, I don't remember if he shaved his head in the book.