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Ear picking

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Ear hygiene practice
A ear-picking session in Chengdu, China

Ear picking, also known as ear scooping (Chinese: simplified Chinese: 采耳; traditional Chinese: 採耳; pinyin: Cǎi ěr), is a type of traditional ear hygiene and leisure activity common in Asia. It involves the process of removing earwax using various tools. Ear picking service in China for leisure and pleasure dates back to Song dynasty (960-1279 CE).

Varieties

In China

The earliest records of ear-picking originated in the Han dynasty (202 BC-220 CE), and such leisure enjoyment was limited to the noble class until Tang dynasty (681-907 CE).

Ear-picking as a service originated in the Song dynasty (960-1279 CE) as part of the leisure options offered by tea house or public bathhouse. The Chinese-style ear-picking process involves specialized tools, massages, sound, and techniques that emphasize cleaning and stress relief. Aside from ear picks, ear-picking tools include cloud knives, ear spoons, ticklers made of goose feather, tuning forks, and peacock feathers for massages. The job requires extensive training in hand accuracy and steadiness.

Ear-picking service is especially common in Chengdu region, where services can be found in salons, public parks, roadsides, and tourist attractions. The Chengdu ear-picking custom was reportedly popularized during Ming dynasty (1368-1644 CE).

In Japan

Ear picking, known as mimi souji (耳そうじ, 耳掃除) in Japan, is a traditional leisure and ear hygiene activity in the country.

In Vietnam

Ear picking service in Vietnam is offered in barbershops along with massages. It’s commonly used by local people for ear cleaning, refreshment and stress relief.

See also

References

  1. Hua, Vanessa (2021-06-22). "The Best Way to Clean Your Ears: With a Spoon". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  2. Margo DeMello (2021). On the Job: An Encyclopedia of Unique Occupations Around the World. ABC-CLIO, LLC. p. 76. ISBN 9781440863516.
  3. 潘伟 (2021). 百工记. 广西师范大学出版社. ISBN 9787559841391.
  4. Hoy, Hilda. "In China, Chengdu's peculiar ear-cleaning custom". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  5. "采耳风靡济南 采耳师高时月收入可达一万五". Sina News. 17 March 2023.
  6. ^ "存档副本". Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  7. Awen (30 April 2019). "Ancient Chinese Bath Culture". View of China.
  8. Staab, Wayne (2017-10-24). "Ear-Picking - What is it?". Hearing Health & Technology Matters. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  9. Hoy, Hilda. "In China, Chengdu's peculiar ear-cleaning custom". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  10. Tabeta, Shunsuke (27 November 2016). "The 400-year-old art of the ear canal rub down". Nikkei Asia.
  11. "Japan's lap-pillow ear-cleaning salons aren't just for pervy guys, we find out". SoraNews24 -Japan News-. 2021-07-05. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  12. Rich (2014-07-17). "Mimikaki: Ear Cleaning and Romance in Japan". Tofugu. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  13. "Mimikaki, l'art de prendre son pied grâce au nettoyage d'oreilles". Slate.fr (in French). 2017-10-02. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  14. Boudreau, John (27 January 2011). "Vietnamese clients wax poetic over ear picking". The Seattle Times.
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