Comb (櫛, Kushi?) is a tool used for combing hairs.
Description[]
A comb consists of a shaft that holds a row of teeth for pulling through the hair to clean, untangle, or style it. In the Edo period, it is a very popular hair accessory.
Offering a comb to a lady is also customarily taken as a marriage proposal. It is therefore not necessarily the best of choice for a first present.[1]
Miyo's old comb that she has used for many years is a comb she received from a servant around four or five years ago.[2] It is a cheap comb that is missing a few teeth already. Because of that, combing hair takes twice as long as typical to bring a little result.[1] The comb that Kiyoka Kudou bought for Miyo Saimori is beautifully and intricately crafted.[2] It is made of boxwood and exquisitely decorated with flower carvings. It is a pricey item. Quality combs are known to make all the difference with hair.[1]
Plot[]

Miyo's old comb
After Kiyoka invited Miyo to go out with him on his day off, Miyo sits in front of the mirror, combing her hair with more care than usual. She uses the cheap comb she brought along from her time as a servant at the Saimori family. After going through her hair for a while, she notices that her hair has indeed acquired a glossy sheen.[1]
During their outing, Kiyoka brings Miyo to the Suzushima's. In a back room, Keiko hands him a palm-size box that has been set aside for him. After checking the contents and finding the item inside exactly as requested, he tells her to add it to the kimonos, and he will settle the amount due all together. He then carefully tucks the box away inside his kimono.[1]
After their return home, he does not want to give her the feeling of him pressuring her and waits until later in the evening to place it in front of her room while Miyo is in the bath. Knowing she is reluctant to accept gifts, he believes she couldn’t ignore something left by her door. Because of the additional meaning of offering a comb to a lady, he is unable to give it to her openly out of concern she would misconstrue his intentions. He simply purchased it out of purely practical concerns. After placing the gift, he waits for her reaction in the living room. Miyo exits the bathroom and walks back to her room. Not long after, she comes out in search of him. She asks if he is the one who left it for her. Miyo takes the lid off and hesitantly peers inside the box. After seeing the comb, she expresses that she can't possibly accept such an expensive gift. Kiyoka tells her not to dwell too deeply on it and to do what she likes with it. Miyo then thanks him and says she will treasure it.[1]
Ever since the day Kiyoka has given Miyo the expensive comb, she wants to reciprocate with a gift of her own and later crafts a Kumihimo for him.[3]
Trivia[]
- The background on Miyo's old haircomb was changed in the anime. It originally belonged to Miyo's late mother, Sumi Usuba and was the only memento she had managed to keep, but was damaged by her step-mother, Kanoko Saimori in the process.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Novel, Volume 1 Chapter 2
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Short story, Combs and Memories
- ↑ Novel, Volume 1 Chapter 3