By TOMOOKI YASUDA/ Staff Writer
November 12, 2025 at 07:00 JST
Dressed as an “oiran” high-class courtesan, a Thai student strikes a pose for a photo in Kagoshima. (Provided by Satoru Oyama)
KAGOSHIMA--Psst! Want to transform into a feudal “oiran” for a day?
No problem, 75-year-old Satoru Oyama has all the tools for the makeover--and at no charge, too, for the time being.
Oiran flourished in the Edo Period (1603-1867) as high-class courtesans. They were famed for their extravagant kimono, elaborate hairdos and fancy hair ornaments.
Their long-vanished world has gained new appreciation on the back of “Entertainment District Arc” of the popular “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” animated series.
Oyama, a veteran beautician, offers free hairstyling sessions as part of an oiran makeover to promote the history of Japanese aesthetics.
So far, he has transformed 20 or so Kagoshima University students, recommended to him mainly by acquaintances.
Blessed with an outgoing personality, Oyama likes nothing better than to banter with them.
He developed a strong appreciation for traditional Japanese hairstyles after he re-created an oiran hairdo at an overseas event.
Oyama also organized a fashion show featuring foreign students sporting traditional Japanese hairstyles.
He offers free oiran hairstyling sessions, which are mostly performed at his home here.
After having their locks dressed, the students wear large ornamental hairpins called “kanzashi” and don lavish kimono.
A photo session with friends follows.
Oyama has everything necessary--the hairdressing tools, ornaments and kimono--for the transformation.
“It would be such a waste to see the traditional Japanese hairstyling culture die out," he said.
In November, Oyama plans to start a fee-based oiran hairstyling service for the public under the business name of Kamiyuidokoro Oyama Satoru.
Send messages for inquiries through his Instagram account at (https://www.instagram.com/oiran_oyama/).
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