Scissors Day (Hasami no Hi)

What Is Scissors Day?

August 3rd is "Hasami no Hi" (Scissors Day) in Japan. Beautician Aiko Yamano, founder of the Yamano Gakuen beauty school, modeled it after "hari kuyo" (a memorial ritual for sewing needles) and proposed a "hasami kuyo" (scissors memorial ritual) to give thanks for the scissors used in the beauty industry, beginning the practice in 1978.

Why August 3rd?

The date comes from a pun: the number 8 read as "ha" and 3 read as "sa-mi," together forming "hasami," the Japanese word for scissors.

The Idea Behind a "Memorial Ritual"

Japan has long held a cultural tradition of giving thanks to the tools that support daily life through "kuyo" (memorial rituals). "Hari kuyo," in which broken needles are laid to rest in tofu or konnyaku as a gesture of gratitude, is one such example. Since scissors are similarly worked hard in many professions and everyday tasks -- especially by hairdressers -- a day of gratitude for scissors was proposed in the same spirit.

• What's included: scissors used by hairdressers, as well as any scissors used in everyday life
• The sentiment behind it: caring for your tools, and gratitude for the work they make possible
• Its spread: scissors memorial events are still held today, particularly within the beauty industry

Tips for Marking This Day

• Give the scissors you use every day some proper care and maintenance
• Thank a hairdresser or anyone else whose work depends on scissors
• Learn about Japan's tool-memorial traditions, like "hari kuyo"
• Sort through old, worn-out scissors and replace them with new ones

Gratitude for the Small Tool Behind the Act of Cutting

Scissors trim hair, cut fabric, and slice paper -- quietly supporting countless moments in our daily lives. Let August 3rd be a day to turn a moment of gratitude toward the scissors you use without a second thought.