Inserted head - Kazashi

Japanese: 挿頭 - かざし

〘Noun〙 (Noun derived from the conjunctive form of the verb "kazasu (to insert hair)") 1. The act of inserting flowers, branches, artificial flowers, etc. into hair or a crown. Also, the thing itself. Originally it arose from infectious magic that sought to absorb the life force of plants, and later became an ornament. →Uzu (topknot). ※Man'yoshu (late 8th century) 5.820 "The plum blossoms are now in full bloom, and I think that the kazashi (umbrella) is now in full bloom." ※Genji (c. 1001-14) Momiji-ga "The autumn leaves of the umbrella are falling so quickly, I love it." 2. Circumstances. Also, blood relations. Refers to the form "same kazashi ( to insert hair) ." 3. One of the terms used by linguist Fujitani Nariakira in the Edo period to classify words in the Japanese language. From the standpoint of sentence components, Japanese words were classified into four types, along with "na " (name) , "yosoi" (ornament) , and " ayui" ( attachment), and were referred to as words that function as modifiers in a broad sense. They include pronouns, adverbs, interjections, conjunctions, and prefixes. *Kazashi-sho (1767) Vol. 1 "There are three levels of words. One is kasashi. Two is yosoi. Three is ayuhi. The names of things are not included in these three levels." [Etymology] → Etymology of "kazasu (insertion)"

Kazasu [inserted head]

〘Other Sa 4〙① Plants, flowers, branches, and leaves are inserted into the hair or into the roots of the crown as decorations. In later times, artificial flowers were also used. ※Man'yoshu (late 8th century) 5.832 "Picking plum blossoms to add to the joy of the world, those who gather today will surely be happy." ※Kokin (905-914) Autumn 2nd, 270 "The chrysanthemum flowers, covered with dew, hang from the window, as the autumn eaves are long." ② To decorate on top. ※Rokukashu Honyamakashu (late 12th century) vol. 1: “Spring has come to the inn where I stay, hanging the small pine trees that stand at each gate.”※Yorimasashu (around 1178-80) vol. 1: “I mixed the cherry blossoms I made and hung them over the fruit.”[Etymology](1) The act of “hanging” is thought to have had the meaning of infecting oneself with the spiritual power of nature by inserting the plants and wearing them. In the “Manyoshu,” flowers such as yellow leaves, plum blossoms, bush clover, barley, cherry blossoms, willows, wisteria, and Japanese yarrow are the subjects of “hanging.”
(2) In addition to this word, "Kazura" and "Kazuraku" are also words that refer to long vines worn on the head and have the meaning of vine-based contagion magic. →Katsura (wig) and Kazuraku (wig)

Source: The Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary About the Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary Information

Japanese:

〘名〙 (動詞「かざす（挿頭）」の連用形の名詞化)① 髪や冠に、花や枝、造花などをさすこと。また、そのもの。もと、植物の生命力を身につけようとする感染呪術より生じ、のちに装飾となった。→髻華(うず)。※万葉（８Ｃ後）五・八二〇「梅の花今盛りなり思ふどち加射之(カザシ)にしてな今盛りなり」※源氏（1001‐14頃）紅葉賀「かさしの紅葉、いたう散りすきて」② 境遇。また、血縁関係。「同じ挿頭(かざし)」の形でいう。③ 江戸時代、国語学者、富士谷成章(ふじたになりあきら)の用いた、国語の単語分類用語の一つ。文の成分という立場から、国語の単語を「名(な)」「装(よそい)」「脚結(あゆい)」と合わせて四種に分類、広義の修飾語的な働きをするものを称した。代名詞、副詞、感動詞、接続詞、接頭語の類を含んでいる。※かざし抄（1767）上「ことばにみつのくらゐをさだむ。ひとつにはかさし。二にはよそひ。みつにはあゆひなり。ものの名をば、このみつのうちにいれず」[語誌]→「かざす（挿頭）」の語誌

かざ・す【挿頭】

〘他サ四〙① 草木や花や枝葉を飾りとして髪または冠の巾子(こじ)の根に挿(さ)す。後世は造花も用いる。※万葉（８Ｃ後）五・八三二「梅の花折りて加射世(カザセ)るもろ人はけふの間は楽しくあるべし」※古今（905‐914）秋下・二七〇「露ながらをりてかざさむ菊の花おいせぬ秋のひさしかるべく〈紀友則〉」② 上に飾りつける。※六家集本山家集（１２Ｃ後）上「門ごとにたつる小松にかざされて宿てふ宿に春は来にけり」※頼政集（1178‐80頃）上「作りたる桜をまぜ、くだ物の上にかざして」[語誌](1)「かざす」行為には、植物を挿して身に付けることにより、自然の持つ霊力を自分に感染させる意味があったと思われる。「万葉集」では黄葉・梅・萩・瞿麦・桜・柳・藤・山吹などの草花が「かざし」の対象とされている。
(2)この語の他に、「かづら」「かづらく」も長い蔓のものを頭に着け、蔓草の感染呪術の意味を持つ。→かつら（鬘）・かずらく（鬘）

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