{
  "id": 14427597,
  "title": "This Tokyo Barbershop Cut the Emperor’s Hair for Three Generations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/this-tokyo-barbershop-cut-the-emperors-hair-for-three-generations",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-14T10:40:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tokyo Weekender",
    "slug": "tokyo-weekender",
    "url": "https://www.tokyoweekender.com/art_and_culture/history/ohba-imperial-barbershop-tokyo/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ohba barbershop, a 144-year-old institution in Tokyo, recently filed for bankruptcy, signaling the end of a storied legacy intertwined with Japan's imperial family. Established in 1882, the salon gained renown for its unique role as the official imperial barber, a title held by the Ohba family for three generations. Hideyoshi Ohba, the second-generation owner, was entrusted with grooming the future Emperor Hirohito during his tenure as crown prince. This marked the first instance of a commoner being officially appointed to groom a member of the Imperial Household. The gorihatsu-gakari, the title bestowed upon the imperial barber, entailed meticulously cutting and styling hair, as well as performing shaving ceremonies. The emperor, revered as a divine figure, required utmost precision and caution during these procedures. To secure this prestigious role, the Ohba family adhered to strict purification rituals, submerging themselves in freezing water before entering the Imperial Palace. The modernization of Japan during the Meiji and Taisho periods saw Hideyoshi pioneering Western hairdressing techniques, returning to Japan to open a salon in Yokohama and manage barbershops in Tokyo's Toranomon district. The salon's proximity to government areas attracted aristocrats and members of the Imperial Household, turning it into a hub of socialization. Hideyoshi's reputation grew, leading to his appointment as gorihatsu-gakari in 1921, becoming the first civilian to style the hair of a crown prince aboard the battleship Katori. This marked a significant shift in imperial grooming, transitioning from an exclusive palace task to an appointment within the broader royal court. The Ohba family's role spanned three generations, with Hideyoshi's son Eiichi serving as Emperor Hirohito's barber from 1941 to 1943, followed by Ryukichi, who held the position from 2007 until his passing in 2017. Under Ryukichi's leadership, the salon evolved into a specialized scalp care clinic in Akasaka and Aoyama, preserving the family's legacy while adapting to contemporary needs. Despite the company's closure, the Ohba family's historical significance in modernizing imperial grooming and bridging the gap between commoners and royalty endures as a remarkable chapter in Japanese history.",
  "summary": "A historic Japanese grooming enterprise recently filed for bankruptcy, marking the end of a 144-year legacy with ties to the Japanese imperial family. Founded in 1882, “Ohba” was far more than a high-end Tokyo salon; it was best known for its connection to gorihatsu-gakari — the official imperial barber. For three generations, the Ohba family […] The post This Tokyo Barbershop Cut the Emperor’s…",
  "key_points": [
    "Ohba barbershop, 144-year-old Tokyo institution, files for bankruptcy.",
    "Hideyoshi Ohba, second-generation owner, groomed Emperor Hirohito.",
    "Family's legacy spans three generations, evolving into scalp care clinic."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}