15 Coolest Japanese Beard Styles to Try (2024)
Before the 17th century, the Japanese beard was considered a sign of masculinity and power, and it became integral for warriors to grow a beard for a rebellious look. However, after the 17th century or in the middle of it, growing facial hair became completely forbidden.
The law was so impactful, and the citizens followed it too seriously that even now, in the 21st century, you will hardly observe a native, working Japanese growing a full beard. Why was that law introduced? What’s the history behind the Japanese beard? To get all these answers, keep scrolling down.
The History of Japanese Beard
When you look to Japan’s deep ancient history, you will come to know that “hige” (Japanese facial hair) was considered a strong feature of samurai from the medieval to the Edo period’s beginning.
When the Tokugawa or Edo period came to an end, that was the final traditional period of Japan; the Edo Shogun, the last feudal, shaved off their representative traditional fighting spirit called “hige” to represent political stability and peace.
They all quit growing a beard but maintained the topknot hairstyle and shaved the top of their heads. In the mid-17th century, a law was introduced that strictly prohibited the growing of a beard except for those with facial scars.
Despite this law, a group of people from the Ainu area continued growing beards; that area was named a land of savages. Again, in the 1930s, the fashion of growing facial hair went on, peaking amongst the Japanese. Government militaries started growing beards and mustaches.
In 1950, after the war, clean-shaven and razor fashions became a trend again among teen and adult citizens. People started to indicate that a clean shave is a respectable style, and they still consider the same point. When the Japanese age or reach over 30 years, they can grow a beard.
Can The Japanese Grow A Beard?
Yes, some Japanese can grow a beard and some cannot because of their genetics. Those Japanese who can grow a beard, usually avoid growing it for several reasons. The first reason is that the companies don’t allow the Japanese to grow a beard. Like Koreans, having a beard is a sign of failure, laziness, violence, and uncivilization in Japan.
Popular Japanese Beard Styles
1. Full Japanese Beard
It is a masculine and well-trimmed beard along with a taper fade short hairstyle. Maintain it on a regular basis. Trim the cheeks line, shape the beard. Comb it regularly to remove tangles. Keep it polished and glossy by applying beard oil.
2. Pai Mei Warrior Look
It is a famous Japanese fighter character from the film “Kill Bill”. Extra-long goatee, clean-shaven cheeks and Chomage “Japanese topknot hairstyle” fixed in place with an arrow, is perfect execution of ancient samurai. Do not forget to pay attention to the fine details of pointed eyebrows.
3. Japanese Van Dyke
It is one of the most sophisticated Japanese beards with a modern touch. Mustache looks neatly trimmed and chin hair turned into a perfect triangular shape. Nowadays, it is quite an acceptable beard style in Japan.
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4. Long Ducktail Beard
It resembles a ducktail beard. Its professional pairing includes a thin handlebar mustache and silky smooth beard along with a buzz-cut hairstyle, giving the man an edgy look.
5. Patchy Goatee
It is a rugged and adventurous beard. A Thick Fu Manchu mustache, along with a chin beard, makes a remarkable goatee style. Sideburns look unkempt, and the cheek area is patchy. Choose a man bun hairstyle if you want to look classier.
6. Japanese Stubble
Hiroyuki Sanada is a Japanese actor with astounding styling skills. It is a 5 o’clock stubble style that is very well-trimmed and looks extraordinarily charming. He trimmed his mustache, beard, and slight soul patch, giving him a strong and charming statement.
7. Chinstrap Beard
Kane Watanabe Is also a well-known Japanese actor. He is carrying the chin strap beard very elegantly. Cheeks are clean-shaven; sideburns are connecting with chin beard through a thin hair strap. There is a noticeable soul patch below the lips.
8. Shaggy Grey Beard
Those who think Japanese men can’t grow a beard should watch this Japanese old man rocking a shaggy grey beard. It gives a rugged old man appearance and shows that Japanese men can rock a beard even when they are old.
9. Bald with Unkempt Heavy Stubble
Baldness is one more thing that should never stop someone from expressing themselves. An unkempt heavy stubble is one of the finest beard styles out there, but it has a special vibe when combined with a bald look. You can never go wrong with this one.
10. Chin Beard
A chin beard is one of the most timeless beard looks to ever exist. With no intention of generalizing here, as faces can be of all shapes and sizes, but a Japanese face typically is a great fit for a chin beard.
11. Japanese Long Goatee
If a normal goatee wasn’t enough, the goatee can be extended all the way up to your chest if your beard growth allows it. Other than that, you shouldn’t worry about this style much as you can see even a thin beard accommodates the long goatee perfectly well. It’s a fine match with long hair, dreadlocks, and unkempt mustaches.
12. Circle Beard
A circle beard is a goatee with a chin beard and a mustache connected to each other in a straight line with facial hair. It’s a great look for anyone of Asian descent, especially if they’re Japanese.
13. Grey Beard and Salt N Pepper Mustache
Growing old should never stop you from growing a beard. Try this grey extended van dyke beard style with a salt-and-pepper mustache. The van dyke is curved up and connected with a mustache with a thin line of beard.
14. Anchor Beard with Patchy Sideburns
This Japanese anchor beard typically covers the chin and curves up a little, while the patchy sideburns grow along the sides of the face and connect with it. The mustache is kept short, just crossing the upper lips.
15. Short Boxed Beard with Glasses
The Japanese man looks stunning with a short boxed beard, while the glasses add a touch of sophistication. The combination of the two styles conveys a sense of confidence and attention to detail
FAQs on Japanese Beard
1. Is Keeping Facial Hair Unprofessional In Japan?
Yes, facial hair is considered unprofessional in Japan unless it is well-trimmed and well-groomed. Most companies do not hire bearded males because they think it may give clients an untidy and unimpressive image of the employees and company. Some companies develop the “no beard” criteria to represent professional and tidy employees to Japanese clients.
2. Is It Necessary For A Man To Shave Off Beard In Japan?
Ans: It is true that a shaved man is admired and preferred in Japan, but it is not necessary for a man to shave off his beard unless he is jobless. Some companies do not require a beard to be tidy, trimmed, and neat, but some may even fire their employees for not shaving the beard. So, it all depends on the rules and regulations of every company.
3. Did Samurai (Warrior) Have Facial Hair?
Ans: Yes, samurai had beards known as ‘hige’. Without them, they were considered inexperienced and young. Hige also became a distinctive character among Japanese warriors and citizens. Those samurais who were unable to grow thick facial hair used fake ones to show more impact and power.
The most common facial hairstyle adopted by samurai was a full goatee and mustache, along with a topknot known as “chonmage.”
After the Shouva era, the beard trend faded among the Japanese. However, some Japanese still consider a beard a sign of a barbarian.
When they see someone with a beard, they consider him a foreigner and give him a weird glance. There are many cases in Japan’s history where people got fired because of growing a beard, but there are some old Japanese celebrities who wore a beard sophisticatedly in their lives, and these are rare examples.
