No, they didn’t, they started wearing them right after the end of WWII when the Geisha districts were being rebuilt. In the Edo period, all women of all classes wore nihongami hairstyles (which ones dependet on their social status), so this was just an ordinary thing for all women to do. Many also slept on the special takamakura pillows Maiko still use daily, but everyday hairstyles were still often a bit easier and could also be redone more often and didn’t have to last to long.

The switch to wigs was mainly done for 3 reasons: 1. after WWII, there was a shortage of hairdressers, as many died in the war or moved away, 2. overall, it is cheaper, and of course easier to wear a wig, 3. one could also see it as a step towards modernization. Traditional nihongami hairstyles already weren’t very popular in the early 20th century already, and after WWII, they pretty stopped being worn in daily life. I think it would have stopped many potential recruits from entering the profession if they knew that they would have to sleep on a takamakura for the entirety of their career, and also have a high chance of developing a bald spot due to the constant strain on their hair, so I think this was a good decision.

In Kyoto, Maiko still style their own hair, so it almost feels like a reward for the Geiko when they start wearing wigs, as if they are being rewarded for their endurance. However, in many kagai around Japan, such as Niigata, Tokyo and Tokushima, all Geisha, including the apprentices, wear wigs, so that’s really up to the district.

