In ancient Japan, black teeth were considered a symbol of beauty and status. The practice was called Ohaguro, and it involved dyeing the teeth black using a solution made from iron filings and vinegar. It was mainly done by married women, aristocrats and samurai, and lasted from the Heian period all the way through to the end of the 19th century, nearly a thousand years. Beyond the aesthetic, the coating actually acted as a sealant and helped prevent tooth decay.
The tradition died out during the Meiji period when Japan started adopting Western customs and people decided black teeth were no longer in.
What gets me is how much beauty standards are just a product of time and place. Black teeth, pale skin, bound feet, things that were once considered the peak of beauty now seem completely foreign. Makes me wonder what we’re doing today that future generations will find equally bizarre.
What gets me is how much beauty standards are just a product of time and place. Black teeth, pale skin, bound feet, things that were once considered the peak of beauty now seem completely foreign. Makes me wonder what we’re doing today that future generations will find equally bizarre.
