noun
shimada coiffure; pompadour-like hairstyle for unmarried women in the Edo period
A traditional Japanese hairstyle characterized by a high, rounded topknot. Strongly associated with unmarried women, especially during the Edo period, and still seen in bridal wear or geisha attire.
See also: 島田 (しまだ)
花嫁は伝統的な島田髷を結っていた。
The bride wore a traditional shimada coiffure.
浮世絵には島田髷の女
Women with shimada hairstyles are often depicted in ukiyo-e prints.
日本髪 is a broad term for traditional Japanese hairstyles, while 島田髷 refers specifically to the shimada style with its distinctive topknot.
The name is said to derive from the hairstyle's association with the Shimada area (島田) in Shizuoka Prefecture, though the exact origin is uncertain.