Ear scratching - ear picking

Japanese: 耳搔き - みみかき

A tool used to scratch ears and remove ear wax. Earpick-shaped hairpins have been found among the remains of accessories from the Kofun period, but it is unclear whether they were used for earpicking. In the Edo period, earpicks were attached to the ends of hairpins to create a distinctive look. It is said to have been invented by Takahashi Munetsune, head of the kitchen during the Jokyo era (1684-88). Around the Jokyo and Genroku eras (1684-1704), the head of Kanda Kon'yacho and a Chinese man from Kyoto, Koshi Kyubei, and others are said to have made a living by selling ear wax.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

耳の孔をかいたり，耳あかなどを取るときに用いる道具。古墳時代の装身具の遺品に耳かきの形をした簪（かんざし）に似たものが発見されているが，耳かきに使用したかは定かでない。江戸時代に，簪の先に耳かきをつけて特色を出した。発案は貞享年間(1684‐88)，御厨子所預高橋宗恒によるといわれている。貞享･元禄(1684‐1704)のころ，神田紺屋町長官，京都の唐人越久兵衛らが，耳のあか取りを商売にしていたという。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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