The History of TikTok's Trending Japanese Hime Cut (+ Inspo)
Ever heard of the hime katto? HANDS DOWN one of the coolest cuts of the year, and it’s trending on TikTok as we speak — we’re talking 152.8 million views on the hashtag alone. Structural, quirky, and whimsical, the Hime cut looks like it came straight out of anime, so it’s no surprise that it’s been dubbed as the new e-girl style staple. But don’t be mistaken, this isn’t your ordinary TikTok or runway fad. It’s a style that has a rich heritage in Japanese history, once again proving that age-defying drip runs deep in the country’s DNA.
The History of The Hime
References of the style can be traced back to Japan’s Heian period from 794 to 1185. Traditionally coined the Princess Cut, it was historically worn by ‘the noblewomen who are widely thought to have popularized the style,’ Buro247 reveals. It’s said that the hime that we know now, materialized through the combination of two distinct styles: the amasogi, which was a customary shoulder-length ‘do that was popular at the time, and during Binsogi (a coming of age ceremony), women had their front lengths cut just below the ears, resulting in the ultra-mod cut that’s now donned by some of our fave Japanese and Korean K-pop idols. Twice’s Momo, queen Hyuna, and rapper Youngji are a few celebs who come to mind, and American pop band HAIM recently sported the look, too, for Prada.
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Two in One
The coolest aspect of the hime is its versatility. Face-framing tendrils were all the rage this year, and the hime katto gives off a similar vibe — hugging and snatching the jawline while giving you endless hairstyling options to choose from. It’s the next-gen ‘business in the front, party at the back,’ meshing two looks in one — add some bangs or a cotton-candy tinge to the mix, and the results are so bomb!
Some style inspo we recently bookmarked that has us ready to make the chop…
Pastel Dream
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Joey (@joeydevivre)’s hime is serving strawberry shortcake gorgeousness with her dreamy pastel pink dye job.
Hime Meets Lob
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We love hairstylist AMANE (@leco_amane)’s zesty lime hime with elements of the edgy wolf cut coming through, too.
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Hairdresser Masahiro Kashiwa (@kashiwamanhair) incorporates pumpkin spice and hot pink color in his takes, as seen on fashion’s it-girls Aya and Ami Suzuki.
City Girl Street Streaks
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OMGGGG, we can’t get enough of hairstylist, and educator Ray Nathanael (@reyhairstylist)’s hime cut highlights. It’s the stylish streaks for us that scream ‘00s pop princess aesthetic. Christina Aguilera would totally approve.
A Hime, Bangs, and Shag Trifecta
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Talk about a triple threat! Hairstylist Drea (@drethings) creates a dreamy hime, bang, and shag hybrid, and we can’t stop staring! Tinkerbell is that you!?
The Choppy Blunt Hime
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Tweaks (@fka_tweaks) ends things off with a bang, with a fiery red, choppy hime (styled by @erolkaradag) looking like they just stepped off a New York runway *inserts all the heart-eye emojis*
Would you dabble in this futuristic yet historical hair trend? Let us know in the comments below.
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