Hachimaki
/ˌhɑːtʃɪˈmɑːki/noun
A Japanese headband traditionally worn for work, sports, ceremonies, or as a symbol of determination.
Did you know?In Japan, hachimaki have been worn in religious and ceremonial contexts as well as by workers, students, athletes, and kamikaze pilots, making the headband a powerful visual symbol of commitment.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Middle Chinese
鉢
“A bowl or vessel; the character was ultimately associated with Buddhist alms bowls and entered Japanese as hachi.”
8th–10th Century
Japanese
鉢 (hachi)
“A bowl, basin, or rounded vessel; in hachimaki, it refers metaphorically to the head’s rounded shape.”
Old Japanese
Japanese
巻く (maku)
“To wind, roll, coil, or wrap around something.”
Medieval Japanese
Japanese
鉢巻 (hachimaki)
“A band or cloth wound around the head.”
Modern English
English
hachimaki
“A Japanese headband, especially one representing effort, courage, or determination.”