Cultural and fashion question

[katonk66]

A bit of an introduction: This is a snippet of a picture of my Great-Grandfather Kikutaro. This is part of a larger photo, (post funeral) of my Great-Great Grandfather Sosaburo. There were anywhere from 60 to 70 people in this photo with 3 ministers. I believe this was from the Taisho period from around 1919-ish. That being said, was the kamishimo a fashion thing (during formal ceremonies) as late as 1919 amongst the rural folks? My family lived and still lives in the hills of Hiroshima prefecture. 

[Bugyotsuji]

Yes, I am sure it continued. Married women in the countryside continued to blacken their teeth well into the 1920s.

 

I have a friend who dresses like that for Kuroda Bushi formal dance with a yari spear today.

[katonk66]

17 minutes ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Yes, I am sure it continued. Married women in the countryside continued to blacken their teeth well into the 1920s.

 

I have a friend who dresses like that for Kuroda Bushi formal dance with a yari spear today.

Blacken the teeth? What does that symbolize and for what purpose.

[Bugyotsuji]

Henry, check out the custom of Ohaguro お歯黒

 

Some years ago I had really nice lady's lacquered box set of ohaguro containers and instruments. Thinking I would soon find another, I gave it to some friends.