The ritual of the strand at Mikami Shrine

With the offering made, visitors pray to the deity—or Kami—before handing the envelope back to the priest who then gives a blessing for the good health and growth of the hair of the well-wisher. While many visitors go due to mere curiosity, the shrine has also become a source of hope for people grappling with the challenges of damaged hair.

Paying tribute to the first barber

The history of the shrine is traced back to the Kamakura era and is connected to the story of Fujiwara Unemenosuke Masayuki, the first professional hairstylist recognised to come from Japan. Masayuki allegedly opened the hairstyling business as a means to earn money to take care of his family.

Now, Mikami is a mecca not only to those who suffer from balding, but to the beauty industry in general. Individuals wanting to become beauticians and barbers come to pray for success in the tough national exams that students in Japan must face. Such is the reverence for Masayuki that many Japanese salons traditionally close on the 17th of each month to honour the anniversary of his passing, proving that for many, hair care is indeed a sacred business.

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