This is a vintage full set of Japanese traditional hair ornaments for a traditional Japanese wedding: Kanzashi, Kushi and Kougai with the original box. The sticker in the box says “genuine coral”. The round coral cabochons are genuine untreated coral, while the pink base plates are plastic faux coral.
This set was made for the bride to wear in a traditional wedding.
The design includes typical good omens such as chrysanthemum flowers and pinewood.
Those MaeKanzashi (Mae-zashi front kanzashi) has a part called “Bira” or “Birabira” consisting of small dangling genuine coral beads that create movement. This can be either attached or removed.
There used to be a lot of craftsmen who made hair jewelry such as this, about 100 years ago when most Japanese women still wore kimono with traditional hair styles. But there is no longer much demand, and kanzashi craftsmen have mostly disappeared.
This kanzashi set was made in the 20th century for use in weddings. This type was not distributed on the market. It was made for hair dressers to use in styling the bride’s hair for a traditional wedding.
The material of the metal parts is unknown. It is probably silver-plated brass. The metal parts have some tarnish, but it doesn’t stand out if you wear it and functionally there is no problem.
Narural untreated coral beads are used, a vestige of the high value these ornaments had for women who would wear such precious jewelry only once in their lives.
