Shubi (comb)

Shubi (Chinese: 梳篦), also called as zhi (Chinese: 栉), is a generic term used for Chinese combs in China, which includes thick-teeth comb shu (Chinese: 梳) and thin-teeth comb bi (Chinese: 篦).^[1][2][3] Shubi originated about 6000 years ago in China during the late Neolithic period.^[4][5] Some Chinese combs dating from the Shang dynasty were found in the Tomb of Fuhao.^[6] In ancient China, Chinese combs had a high special status, a high artistic value, was an important form of hair ornament in Chinese history.^[7][4] Chinese comb also had and continues to hold unique cultural meaning and emotional value.^[8] Chinese combs in China were not used only for grooming purposes, they were also used holding and decorating hair.^[9][4] Both Chinese men and women wore decorative combs in their hair in ancient China.^[9] Chinese women often wore combs and fine-tooth combs in their hair buns.^[7] Chinese comb-making was also an important form of traditional Chinese art and business industry.^[9]

The term shubi (Chinese: 梳篦) also includes to two types of combs: shu (Chinese: 梳; also lit. translated as comb, and sometimes also refer to coarse and thick-teeth comb) and bi (Chinese: 篦; a type of fine-tooth comb).^[1][2][3] The term shubi also refers to a form of hairstyle in ancient China.^[1]

The usage of the term zhi (Chinese: 栉) has relatively unstable. The use of the term zhi to refer both types of combs; i.e. thick-tooth combs and fine-teeth combs were only found in the pre-Qin dynasty literature.^[3] However, the term zhi was partly changed by the word shu (Chinese: 梳) to refer to thick-tooth comb in the Sui and Tang dynasties.^[3] The term zhi was partly changed again by the word bi (Chinese: 篦) to only refer to thin-tooth combs after the Yuan dynasty.^[3]

According to a legend, the Chinese comb was invented by one of the concubine of the Yellow Emperor, called Fang Leishi (Chinese: 方雷氏).^[10]

The invention of bi, the fine-tooth comb, is attributed to a Spring and Autumn period official called Chen Qizi who was put into prison after being found guilty.^[1] In prison, Chen Qizi developed lice on his head which made him itched intolerably.^[1] After being tortured by the prison wardens with bamboo planks, Chen Qizi discovered that the bamboo planks would be split into strips; he then packed these wooden strips together to create the original fine-toothed comb to clean his hair away from lice and dirt.^[1]

According to a legend, after the defeat of Chiyou, the craftsman Hao Lian, who knew how to make combs, was captured, imprisoned and given the death sentence.^[1] The prison warden, Huang Fu, discovered that Hao Lian could make combs and advised him to make a comb to save his life overnight.^[1] The comb made by Hao Lian was presented to the Queen Luo Zu, but Hao Lian was already executed before an amnesty could be issued.^[1] After Hao Lian's death, Emperor Xuan Yuan appointed Huang Fu to lead other craftsmen in comb-making based on the models left behind by Hao Lian.^[1] Since this time, Hao Lian and Huang Fu have been both considered as the founders of comb trade.^[1]

Chinese combs were also an essential component of dowry in ancient China; they are also a symbolism of a happy life.^[11]

Prenuptial hair-combing ceremony, also known as shang tou (Chinese: 上头), is a traditional Cantonese Chinese ritual which takes place on the eve of the wedding by the couples.^[12] It is held at a time which is considered auspicious at the homes of groom and bride respectively to symbolize a rite of passage.^[12] This practice is still performed in some ethnic groups in Singapore.^[12] It is believed to have been introduced in Singapore by the Cantonese.^[13]

Combs in some Chinese nationalities are considered a kind of taboo; for example, for the Tibetans, combs must be hidden in private places, people who wore combs in their hair were perceived as being impolite.^[11]

In the Han dynasty, Emperor Wendi gave combs to the leader of the Xiongnu, Maodun.^[6]

Chinese comb-making was an important form of business industry in ancient China.^[9] People who were in the business of the selling or the making of combs in China enjoyed special rights in both ancient and modern Chinese industry.^[11]

Some combs, such as the Changzhou combs, could only be used by members of royalty in ancient China.^[11] Nowadays, although the Changzhou combs are commonly used in everyday life, this form of Chinese combs are still considered as national and traditional treasures in China.^[11] The city of Changzhou holds a large comb-making business which started operating in the fifth century AD and continues to produce hand-made Chinese combs made of wood; they are now operating as the "Palace Comb Factory" or the "Changzhou Combs Factory".^[14]

In Traditional Chinese medicine, hair combing is perceived as an efficient means to remain healthy.^[4] In ancient China, Chinese people used shubi to maintain their health due to the doctors' belief that every day hair combing was an important need in traditional medicine.^[7] Hair combing is still used for massaging the head to keep one's healthy is still used in modern times China.^[4]

Japanese combs, kushi, started to be used by Japanese people 6000 years ago in the Jomon era.^[5] Chinese combs were introduced in Japan along with the introduction of Chinese culture during the Nara period.^[15] During this period, the Chinese combs which were introduced in Japan were horizontal in shape.^[15] The design of the Chinese comb introduced in Nara period was different from stick-shaped hair prongs that had been used by the Japanese before.^[15] In Nara period, the Japanese combs, along with Japanese clothes and ornaments, were all influenced by the Sui and Tang dynasty.^[5] Some combs continued to be imported from China even in the later centuries, i.e. in the 18th or 19th century AD.^[16]

• 
  Shang dynasty comb.
• 
  Qin dynasty comb.
• 
  Tang dynasty comb.
• 
  Qing dynasty jade comb
• 
  Changzhou comb, double-edged fine-toot comb.
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  Western Han Jade Comb
• 
  Tang or Liao dynasty silver comb.^[17]

• Changzhou comb
• Kanzashi

• Buyao
• Chinese hairpin
• List of Hanfu headwear
• Hanfu accessories