@bethanynche: Services I witness with my own eyes. The questions I got asked. The demands I received… all my unique experiences One thing that surprised me when I began working in Japan was how often I was asked questions about my hair. “Can I braid my hair?” “Can you braid my hair?” “I want to look like you.” And honestly? These conversations taught me A LOT. Living and working in Japan gave me a completely different perspective on how Black hair can be viewed across cultures. For many people I encountered, braids, locs, afros, and other Black hairstyles were introduced through fashion, music, celebrities, anime, social media, and beauty trends. But for Black people, hair is much deeper than a trend. Our hairstyles can carry history, identity, creativity, community, resistance, and generations of cultural knowledge. That doesn’t mean someone outside of Black culture cannot appreciate, learn from, or wear these styles. It means appreciation becomes more respectful when it comes with understanding. Working as a Black braider in Japan has taught me that cultural exchange can be BEAUTIFUL when curiosity is paired with cultural competency. You can admire the hairstyle. You can learn the technique. You can participate in the beauty. But take the time to understand where it comes from, who created it, and what it means. That’s the difference between simply wearing a culture and genuinely respecting it. 🖤🌎 #Japan ##donebybethany#braider #tokyobraider #tokyohair #japanhair

Bethany Nche | NiCHE & Co.

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Thursday 13 August 2026 10:00:00 GMT