Shaguma (赤熊 "Red Bear") was a type of headgear worn by the soldiers of the Japanese Imperial troops in the Boshin War (1867-68). The headgear was quite peculiar, involving the used of long, colored, "bear" hair.
The "Red bear" (赤熊, Shaguma) wigs indicate soldiers from Tosa, the "White bear" (白熊, Haguma) wigs soldiers from Chōshū, and the "Black bear" (黒熊, Koguma) wigs soldiers from Satsuma.
The Shaguma is also worn during processions such as the Gion Festival. It is sometimes thought to have been inspired by the "red hair" of the Dutch during their presence in Nagasaki.[1]