All Aboard for a Fresh Start!
Published: March 6, 2018
By the western entrance to Sunamachi Ginza Shopping Street, located on the second floor, is hair SHIP reborn, a spacious hair salon that’s often abuzz with local ladies. Some are here for a quick trim, while others are in for a whole-day operation of cutting, dyeing, perming and treating.
I had passed by the entrance often, but never ventured in. Today, however, I was here for a transformation of my own.
There to greet me was Mr. Miura, owner of hair SHIP reborn and award-winning hair stylist who has built his experience at many prominent hair shows. He showed me his latest work (a replica was sitting in wig-form on the counter) and it looked edgy, chic and beautiful.
So it was with great confidence that I could say, “Mr. Miura, I leave my hair in your good hands!”
Hair donations accepted!
Every once in a while, I get the urge to chop my hair short; because it’s summer and sweltering, because there are too many split ends, or because I simply want to try something new after a period of having had long hair. But I always feel hesitant because it seems such a shame to cut off my locks after growing it out for so long…
Which is why it was really exciting when Mr. Miura said, “If you’re thinking of going short, would you be interested in donating your hair?”
Hair donation is still a largely novel concept in Japan, and few salons offer the service. Furthermore, most hair donations start at 31cm (a little over 12 inches), a requirement few would-be donors can meet.
However, hair SHIP reborn is happy to take hair donations starting at 15cm (roughly 6 inches) to be donated for medical wigs. Knowing that my hair was going to be put to good use really reassured me about the decision to cut my hair short J
“It’s tradition at our salon to offer customers who are donating their hair the first snip,” Mr. Miura said to me, handing me a pair of scissors.
Though you don’t have to take them up on the offer, it’s a unique opportunity to experience cutting off a chunk of your own hair!
Afterwards, Mr. Miura directed me to the shampoo stations. There are several services offered at hair SHIP reborn at these stations, including getting your hair treated, caffeine-treated (supposedly very refreshing) or washed with carbonated water (invigorating for the scalp); all are designed to offer you an extremely relaxing time. Even without these additional options, however, leaning back, closing your eyes and getting your scalp massaged can be a heavenly escape from daily life.
Back in the chair, Mr. Miura kindly handed me a tablet as he got to work. The tablet, outfitted with videos and e-magazines, help to keep customers entertained during haircuts or perms. There’s also free Wi-Fi, which means you can use the tablet to search for and confirm the haircut you want. Mr. Miura offered his expert input as well, advising me on the best length (long enough to still tie into a ponytail) and how to use my lingering perm to my advantage (leaving a bit of curl helps the hair style better).
Snip, snip, snip…
A tranquil atmosphere fell over us as Mr. Miura got to work.
While I sipped my complimentary drink, Mr. Miura quickly finished trimming my hair, and set about blow-drying it.
Then, with some final nips and tucks, and a very relaxing scalp massage, he was finished.
I could hardly believe how good my hair looked!
Not only was it short and cut amazingly well, his brushing and blow-drying had left my hair so neat it looked like art (truly, I felt like someone had painted my hair in oil, with neat, broad strokes)!
5/5, would recommend!
Refreshed, I felt ready to go out into the world with my new look…
And it was wonderful to know my hair was also being given a new purpose, somewhere out in the world.
With spring just around the corner, now is a great season to debut a new you! If a haircut is in your future plans, I hope you’ll keep hair SHIP reborn in mind—especially if you’re interested in donating your locks.
Story by Xianru Shen（Koto City Office Coordinator for International Relations）
