In the Japanese drama The Great Buddha Opens His Eyes, Satomi Ishihara's costume has sparked discussions online. Many pointed out that her hairstyle resembles the popular style of early Tang Dynasty in China, rather than the Tenpyo era in Japan.
The answer is clear: this is the Shuang Ji Ji (双髻髻), a hairstyle popular from the Sui to early Tang Dynasty. It features two looped buns on the head, commonly worn by children and maids. Similar styles can be found among Chinese artifacts preserved in the Shosoin Repository.
Not just the hairstyle, but even the eyebrows match the Tang Dynasty's aesthetic. Additionally, the Mei Ban Hua Dian (梅瓣花钿, plum - petal forehead decoration) and Mian Ye (面靥, dimple makeup) on the sides of the lips also draw inspiration from Tang fashion.
In the Chinese historical drama Guo Se Fang Hua (国色芳华), actress Yang Zi wore this hairstyle, meticulously recreated based on murals and relics. The Shuang Chui Ji (双垂髻, double - drop bun) also appeared, a style beloved by Tang Dynasty noblewomen and often paired with men's round - collar robes.
The drama references elements like the Mian Fu (冕服, emperor's ceremonial robe), Shi Er Zhang Wen (十二章纹, twelve imperial symbols), and Wu Zhou Nv Guan (武周女官, female official attire of Wu Zhou). However, while Japan adopted Tang culture, it also adapted it to local tastes. Claiming Tang culture belongs to Japan is inaccurate—it was borrowed, not wholly replicated.
Japan dispatched over a dozen diplomatic missions to Tang China, each with hundreds of members. These envoys brought back Chinese art, technology, and customs, profoundly influencing Japan's Nara period, where Tang - style was revered. The drama acknowledges this cultural exchange, set in Japan's Tenpyo era (parallel to Tang's golden age).
Today, many mistake Chinese traditions for Japanese due to pop culture exposure. Fortunately, the rise of Chinese animation and historical dramas has revived interest in Hanfu (汉服) and cultural heritage. Yet, shifting perceptions from unknown to accepted remains a gradual process.
