[BRIDAL HAIRSTYLE SET].

御嫁入用揃櫛. [Oyomeiriyō soroigushi].

大阪. [Osaka]. 大阪林為商店. [Osaka Rintame Shoten]. Circa [ 1920]. Stock ID #218776

A set of three Japanese grooming tools presented in a very attractive pictorial box size (27 x 20.5cm), three cosmetic advertising sheets loosely inserted. Appears to lack two grooming tools.

Lovely presentation box, with an attractive colour plate laid down on the lid, contains three traditional Japanese-style combs made of celluloid, a new and fashionable material in the early 20th century. The lid illustration depicts a young bride in a formal takashimada hairstyle, poised to exchange a wedding vow with a cup of sake. Around her are the auspicious motifs of pine, bamboo, plum blossom, cranes, and turtles, all symbols of good fortune and longevity.

The wording “Specially Made out of Celluloid” is printed on the box, while a side label promises that the set will bring happiness to its owner.

Celluloid production began industrially in Japan in the early 20th century, and by 1937 the country accounted for 40% of global output. The main raw material, camphor, was harvested in Taiwan, then under Japanese colonial rule.

Inside the box are three cosmetic information sheets produced by Club Cosmetics, a long-established Osaka company that still exists today. The combs themselves were made by Rintame Shoten, later operating as Maruju Corporation, a firm better known for its rainwear. This comb set was most likely intended as a bridal gift, to be used by a young woman on her wedding day.

When referring to this item please quote stockid 218776.

Price: $325.00 AU

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