The Order to Cut Hair and Remove Swords (Dajokan No. 399, September 23, 1871)

And the sign said "Long-haired freaky people Need not apply" - Five Man Electrical Band

In the late 19th century, Japan underwent a period of rapid modernization and cultural transformation as it transitioned from the Tokugawa shogunate's feudal system to the Meiji government's central authority. This pivotal era, known as the Meiji Restoration, was marked by sweeping reforms that aimed to dismantle the rigid structures of the past and pave the way for Japan to become a competitive power on the world stage. Among these reforms, one of the most symbolic—and controversial—was the "Order to Cut Hair and Remove Swords" 散髪脱刀令(Dajokan No. 399), issued by the Dajokan, Japan’s highest governing council, on August 9, 1871, under the old calendar, or September 23, 1871, under the current calendar.

Commonly referred to as the "Order to Cut Hair," this decree allowed people to choose their hairstyles freely and allowed aristocrats and samurai to stop carrying swords. While it did not outright ban topknots or swords, it signaled the beginning of a significant cultural shift. As Japan sought to adopt Western practices and appearances, the traditional symbols of status and identity began to fade. This article explores the background, contents, and impact of this historic decree, examining how it shaped the course of Japan’s modernization and cultural identity.

The "Order to Cut Hair and Remove Swords" was a relatively brief but profound decree. It declared that "haircuts, uniforms, casual clothing, and sword removal are all free," meaning that people were no longer required to wear their hair in the traditional topknot (known as chonmage) or carry swords, as was customary for the samurai class. The order allowed individuals to adopt Western-style haircuts and clothing, significantly departing from the strict sartorial codes that had defined Japanese society for centuries.

However, the decree did not mandate the cutting of topknots or the removal of swords. It allowed for flexibility, particularly in formal settings. The order stipulated that swords could still be worn in formal attire, preserving the tradition for ceremonial purposes. This accommodation reflects the delicate balance the Meiji government had to strike between encouraging modernization and respecting Japan's cultural heritage, especially the deeply ingrained customs of the samurai class.

For centuries, the topknot and the sword were more than just personal accessories; they were potent symbols of identity, status, and power in Japan. These markers particularly defined the samurai class, the ruling elite under the Tokugawa shogunate. The topknot was a physical manifestation of a samurai’s commitment to the warrior ethos, while the sword was both a practical tool of combat and a symbol of their right to rule.

As the Meiji government moved to abolish the samurai class and replace it with a more meritocratic bureaucracy, the order to cut hair and remove swords was a direct challenge to the traditional hierarchy. The government effectively dismantled the feudal order by allowing samurai to forego these symbols of their status. It signaled that Japan’s future would be shaped not by birthright but by ability and conformity to modern norms.

Despite the freedom granted by the decree, many samurai were reluctant to abandon their traditional appearance. Some prominent figures, such as Shimazu Hisamitsu, his son Tadayoshi, and the martial artist Sakakibara Kenkichi, continued to wear their topknots long after the proclamation. Iwakura Tomomi, one of the most influential statesmen of the Meiji government, even retained his topknot when he led the Iwakura Mission, a diplomatic journey to the West in 1871. He cut his hair only during the mission in Chicago, symbolizing his acceptance of the new era.

While some embraced the order, it also provoked significant resistance, particularly in regions where traditional values remained strong. The most notable instance of backlash occurred in March 1873 in Tsuruga Prefecture (present-day Fukui Prefecture), where 30,000 people opposed to the haircutting and Westernization orders broke out. The protesters demanded the abolition of Western clothing and the reinstatement of topknots, seeing the reforms as an assault on their way of life. The rebellion was brutally suppressed, with six leaders executed for inciting the unrest.

The uprising in Tsuruga was not an isolated incident. Resistance to Westernization was widespread, and many people saw cutting hair and abandoning swords as symbols of a loss of identity. For them, the Meiji reforms were about modernization and severing ties with Japan's cultural roots. The riots in Tsuruga, Sakai, Ono, and Imadate counties clearly indicated that the transition from the feudal era to the modern age was far from smooth.

While the decree allowed freedom of choice regarding hairstyles and dress, the personal decisions of high-ranking officials and the emperor played a significant role in shaping public perception and behavior. In March 1873, Emperor Meiji himself had his hair cut, an act that carried enormous symbolic weight. As the figurehead of Japan’s modernization efforts, the emperor’s embrace of Western fashion encouraged government officials and other elites to follow suit. Cutting one's hair became more than a personal decision—a public statement of allegiance to the new Japan.

Government officials were particularly quick to adopt the Western style, as the Meiji state valued projecting an image of modernity and progress. Over time, as more prominent figures cut their hair and donned Western clothing, these changes trickled down through society, eventually becoming normalized among the general population.

Interestingly, while the order was specifically aimed at men, it also had unintended consequences for women. There was widespread confusion over whether the decree applied to women, leading some women to cut their hair short like men. This misunderstanding prompted Tokyo Prefecture to issue a clarification on April 5, 1872, formally prohibiting women from cutting their hair in this manner.

This episode highlights the broader confusion and tension surrounding the rapid changes of the Meiji period. As Japan transitioned from a rigidly structured society to one that embraced elements of Western modernity, the boundaries of tradition, gender roles, and class distinctions became increasingly blurred.

The "Order to Cut Hair and Remove Swords" was more than just a decree about hairstyles and weapons—it was a powerful symbol of Japan’s transformation during the Meiji era. By allowing individuals to choose whether or not to maintain the symbols of the samurai class, the government signaled its commitment to creating a modern, meritocratic society in which one’s status was not defined by birthright or adherence to tradition.

However, the resistance to these changes among the samurai and the broader population demonstrates that Japan’s modernization was not a simple or linear process. The Meiji government had to navigate the delicate balance between embracing the future and respecting the past. Ultimately, the decree to cut hair and remove swords played a crucial role in shaping modern Japan's cultural and social landscape, marking a break from the past while paving the way for a new national identity.