kiiks Satsuma Tsuge Comb with Tea-Dyed Case
Comb: Satsuma Tsuge
Comb Case: 100% Linen
3.0 Length: approx. 9.2 cm × Width: approx. 3.8 cm
4.0 Length: approx. 12.5 cm × Width: approx. 3.8 cm
5.0 Length: approx. 15.5 cm × Width: approx. 3.8 cm
Avoid washing with water or detergent. Instead, every two to three months, soak the comb in camellia oil or wipe it with a cloth soaked in the oil. The more you use it, the more it will gain luster.
The Satsuma Tsuge comb has a rich history and has been a celebrated part of Japanese culture as far back as the Edo period. For many across the nation, but most especially for those hailing from the Satsuma region, the comb is more than an effective tool—it’s a symbol of family and unbroken community bonds. So revered is the comb that in local Satsuma culture, there is a tradition of planting Tsuge trees to celebrate the birth of a girl.
Tsuge trees are unique in that their wood grows very slowly, and as a result have tree rings that are narrow with a fine, resilient texture. Creating the Satsuma Tsuge comb is a complex practice reserved for only the most skilled artisans who have honed their craft across many decades. From harvesting and drying, to rough-shaping, carving, and polishing, this meticulous process is a cherished challenge for those who are skilled in Japanese woodworking. The kiiks Satsuma Tsuge Comb is both a preservation of this traditional craft and an opportunity to connect the present to the past through daily acts of thoughtful hair care.
Our Tsuge comb’s wooden design features a smooth glide that is gentle and non-damaging to hair. It lightly stimulates the scalp and encourages improved blood circulation to help calm and relieve the senses while combating tangles and leaving hair more soft and manageable. With its smooth and porous yellow surface, the comb can also absorb botanical oils and helps to deliver additional moisture to hair and improve shine with every use. And because Tsuge wood is naturally antibacterial, the comb stays clean even with daily, long-term use.
The comb case made from tea-dyed linen fabric is created by boiling the leaves and branches of tea from Banzan in Kinko Town for several hours, then allowing it to ferment overnight, followed by dyeing with iron mordant to achieve a rich color.
Since it is crafted by artisans, the finishing colors and patterns may vary from item to item.
Our combs have been cultivated over several decades in Kagoshima and are artfully crafted by Mr. Kihara, an artisan and master of traditional Japanese woodworking techniques.
The kiiks Satsuma Tsuge Comb is designated as a Traditional Craft Product of Kagoshima Prefecture.
ABOUT kiiks
製品は全て自然由来で、ひとつひとつ手作り。
丁寧な生活と心の豊かさを追求し、
自分にも地球にも気持ち良い商品作りを目指します。
プロダクトを通して、個々人の幸せの輪が広がり、
制作活動を通して地域活性化にも貢献する。
それが私たちの願いです。