Japanese Wet Shaving

[Samouraï]

I was thinking about Japanese straight razors (which I am in the market for, btw) and Japanese natural hones, when I got to thinking about what other wet shaving materials have Japanese counterparts. What kind of wet-shaving history does Japan have? Did they use brushes and soaps way back in the day, before our cultures seeped into one another? How does Western wet-shaving compare to Japanese? It might be fun to put together a traditional Japanese kit.

Is anyone savvy to this terribly interesting dichotomy (or similarity)?

[fatpanda]

Go onto YouTube and search for this

traditional Japanese face shave

the video of the woman getting her entire face shaved! I saw it one day because I was interested to see how to use a japanese straight. Sorry if it weirds you out, I had mixed feelings but hey it is part of the Japanese wet shaving tradition, I guess.

[Thebigspendur]

Go onto YouTube and search for this

traditional Japanese face shave

the video of the woman getting her entire face shaved! I saw it one day because I was interested to see how to use a japanese straight. Sorry if it weirds you out, I had mixed feelings but hey it is part of the Japanese wet shaving tradition, I guess.

Not really. Those are straights made specifically for that purpose kind of like using a 2/8s western straight to shave your entire face when they were designed more for trim work.

[Samouraï]

Does anyone know about ancient straight razor wet-shaving practices for men in Japan before Western goods made their way into the market?

I have tried to research it, but have come up dry.

[Fnord5]

As far as I know, only water was used, possibly oil/grease of some sort.

The Japanese, in general, have little to no facial hair. Most shaving was only done to the top of the head(Which explains the asymmetrical grind Japanese razors have)
Let me check a book I have, I might be able to find something on technique.