And while there was never a time when it was performed by every Japanese woman, ohaguro was a method of adornment which transcended class – a rarity in historical Japan. Ohaguru was practised in the Imperial household until the end of the Edo period (1603 – 1867). In the Muromachi period (1337- 1573) the practice was that of adults, however due to the rise in political marriages of convenience during the Sengoko period ( circa 1560 – 1700) girls as young as 8 years of age would have ther teeth blackened to mark their marital coming of age.
The relatives and guardians of these young brides would also undertake personal tooth blackening. During the Edo period the men of imperial families would continue to practice Ohaguru , girls under 18 years would not. Although older girls, Geisha and prostitutes continued to do so. There are other areas of the world where the blackening of teeth is known, such as China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and some Pacific Islands.
