Punch perm

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A punch perm is a type of tightly permed male hairstyle in Japan that was popular among Yakuza, Chimpira, bōsōzoku (motorcycle gang members), truck drivers, construction workers, and Enka singers from the 1960's till the mid 1990's. This hair style probably got its name from "needle punch carpeting," a type of floor covering with a short and tightly curled nap. A variation of the punch perm is called "aippa". This hairstyle is mainly worn by bōsōzoku. In this variation of the punch perm, both sides of the forehead are shaved to create a cross between widow's peak, a flattop and an exaggerated sculpted early 1960s pompadour. It bears a strong similarity to the Quiff hairstyle of 1950s British Teddy Boy subculture.

The punch perm began to fall out of usage as a result of its general association with the Yakuza, as well as normal fashion trends. These days it is extremely rare to find anyone with a punch perm, regardless of their affiliations.

A variation of the punch perm is called "iron perm." While a punch perm is created with rollers and chemicals, an iron perm is created with a heated curling iron. This hair style often involves singeing the hair.

[edit] External links

• [1] Photo of Bosozoku with punch perms, Leon Borensztein
• [2] Photo of alleged Yakuza members with punch perms
• Mainichi Daily News
• Yakuza, David E. Kaplan and Alec Dubro, University of California Press
• [3]"Middle Aged Mobsters shed a tear for the punch Perm, the Hairdo that's lost its Clout"