Understanding Hair Color: An Exhibition to Unravel Consumer Curiosities About Dyes

The Hōyū Hair Color Museum in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, is set to host an intriguing exhibition titled "Why Do We Dye, and How Does It Work?" from April 30 to August 31, 2025. This event aims to demystify consumer questions regarding hair coloring and explore the evolution of dyeing hair as a means of self-expression.

Exhibition Overview

The exhibition will take place in the first-floor exhibition room of the museum, situated at Tokugawa-machi 903, Higashi-ku, Nagoya City. The entrance is free, with no reservations required. The event is co-hosted by the Setagaya Cultural Foundation's Life Workshop, highlighting collaborative efforts to educate the public about the complexities of hair coloring.

Purpose of the Exhibition

Hair color has transformed from merely covering gray hair to a fashion tool that allows individuals to express their unique identities. This exhibition aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the four mechanisms behind how hair can be dyed, tracing the history and advancements in dyeing technology, while considering the vibrant culture surrounding hair color.

In today’s society, choosing to dye one’s hair isn’t just about aesthetics; it reflects diversity and self-identity across various ages and genders. The exhibition seeks to answer the fundamental question: Why do we dye our hair?

Historical Context

The roots of this exhibition lie in a personal experience of a curator from the Setagaya Cultural Foundation, who struggled to comprehend a stylist's explanation about coloring options for gray hair. This led to the realization that many people share a similar lack of knowledge about hair dyeing, prompting the museum's decision to conduct this special exhibition.

Exhibition Structure

The exhibition is structured into three core zones comprising nine informative parts:

1. Why Do We Dye? (Historical Zone)

- A Desire for Youth or Grooming?: Examining the historical context of hair dyeing and public perceptions of beauty.
- The Tradition of Beautiful Black Hair: A discussion of the cultural significance of black hair in Japan and the historical reasons for dyeing.
- The Emergence of Diverse Colors: Presenting a timeline of key events post-World War II that led to the proliferation of hair colors, including displayed wigs representing past popular styles.
- Hair Color as a Tool for Self-Realization: Showcasing the freedom that hair color allows for personal expression, depicted through various wigs.

2. How Does It Work? (Mechanism & Product Introduction Zone)

- Understanding Hair Structure: Displaying hair models to explain the hair structure and the science behind hair dyeing visually.
- The Four Types of Hair Dyes: Clarifying that there are only four categories of hair coloring products used in hair salons.
- Addressing Common Questions: Offering answers to consumers' frequent inquiries about hair coloring products and techniques.

3. Additional Information

- Displaying Hair Dye Packaging: Presenting real samples of various types of packaging, such as creams, liquids, and foams.
- Hair Coloring Tips Collection: Sharing valuable tips and advice for consumers looking to dye their hair.

Hōyū Hair Color Museum Overview

The museum is operated by Hōyū Co., Ltd. and opened its doors on May 9, 2023. Located conveniently in Nagoya, it allows visitors to delve deeper into the world of hair color without any entrance fee. For more information, visitors can check the official museum website at Hōyū Hair Color Museum.

This exhibition promises to be an enlightening experience as it sheds light on the fascinating world of hair color, unraveling the science and culture that shapes our views on personal aesthetics.