The Comb Shop

Production by Paul Tierney, techical presentation by Ken Aihara

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Paul Tierney reports from a Japanese comb store - Yonoya - in Asakusa. It is one of the few Japanese comb ("kushi") specialty stores in Tokyo, having been in business for over 300 years. Combs have a long history in Japan as hair accessories, but they can also tell the story of their wearer. If you look at an old wood-block print of a kabuki theatre audience, for instance, you can tell the social status of the women by looking at their combs. A deeply researched program collecting hard to find information as well as a live interview with the shop owner.

Paul has also written an extensive and richly illustrated article on the subject, available here in our resources section.

Paul Tierney is the American member of the project team. An ardent student of history, he is in the process of publishing a lengthy article on the Saruwakacho Kabuki town in Asakusa, an area so far almost unknown to the English speaking audience. He is also conducting guided tours in Tokyo's Old Town - the Shitamachi.