Samurai Warriors Wore Makeup and Perfume Before Battle

Contrary to modern stereotypes, samurai were deeply concerned with beauty and aesthetics. They wore white face powder, rouge on their cheeks, and often painted their teeth black (called 'ohaguro') which was considered attractive and showed high social status. Samurai also used perfume and incense to scent their armor and clothing, believing it would make them more appealing to both allies and enemies. This practice, called 'mono no aware' (the pathos of things), reflected their philosophy that beauty and death were intertwined. They believed that dying beautifully was as important as fighting bravely. Even their armor was often decorated with intricate artistic designs, making them walking works of art.