Most wigs were crafted using real hair in ancient times, hence there was a significant market for them. After all, they required expenditure, so the majority of people utilized a combination of real and artificial hair to create their desired look.
The hairstyle I’ve created was quit common during the Tang Dynasty. Even if we don’t have hair as long as ancient people, we can still achieve this style through simple means, by incorporating some artificial hair.
The wealthy often required a large quantity of wigs for social occasions, which created a demand for hair. Consequently, when families faced financial difficulties and needed to make ends meet, they could resort to selling their hair when other valuables were scarce.
In his early years, Tao Yuanming’s great-grandfather, Tao Kan, faced poverty. His mother once cut her long hair to exchange for white rice so her son could entertain guests. Later, it was through the recommendation of this same guest that Tao Kan obtained a job.
However, ancient Chinese people emphasized the concept of “the body and skin received from one’s parents should not be harmed.” They would only consider cutting their hair to sell as a last resort, when absolutely necessary.
Another source of wigs: criminals.
In ancient China, there was a punishment known as “髡刑 (hair shaving )” where criminals would have their heads completely or partially shaved, as mentioned earlier. Since most people were unwilling to cut their long hair, this form of forced hair removal was primarily used to shame the criminals.
Another reason for sentencing someone to be shaved was when their status was too noble to sentence them to death, yet they still had to be punished. In such cases, their hair was shaved as a substitute for execution.
While wigs may not necessarily use real hair, the texture of substitutes is far from that of real hair. Therefore, for fashionable noblewomen who pursue quality, these synthetic alternatives fall short.
Neighboring countries contributed to the supply.
Since there was a market demand, hair could also be offered as a tribute. According to the Samguk Sagi, a historical record of the History of Three Kingdoms (Korean: Samguk Sagi), there are several instances recorded in the Annals of Silla where hair was presented as a tribute.
In the second year of King Munmu’s reign:
1200 grams of hair were presented.
During the reign of King Seongdeok:
In the twenty-second year… In the fourth month of summer, envoys were sent to Tang, offering… beautiful hair.
In the twenty-ninth year, in the second month of spring, 3200 grams of hair were presented.
In the thirty-third year, 4000 grams of hair were presented.
During the reign of King Jingmu of Silla, the quality of tribute was elevated, as he specifically noted the length of the hair offered.
In the ninth year of King Jingmu’s reign, 6000 grams of hair measuring 135 centimeters, and 12000 grams of hair measuring 105 centimeters were presented.
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