Bijin

In practice the term "bijin" means "beautiful woman" because the first kanji character, bi (美), has a feminine connotation.

[clarification needed][3] People who are called a bijin are usually considered beautiful, charming and harmonious women who wear pretty clothes.

During the Heian period in Japan, fine-textured fair skin, plump cheeks, and long, supple black hair were revered as typical beauty conditions.

Makeup involved applying white powder to the face, removing the eyebrows, drawing with ink (引き眉 hikimayu), and dyeing the teeth black (お歯黒 ohaguro), emphasizing bewitching rather than healthy beauty.

"Hikime kagibana" is the name of the expression technique used when drawing a noble person in Heian paintings, such as scenes taken from The Tale of Genji.

Westerner Luís Fróis, who stayed in Japan for more than 30 years during the Warring States period, said, "Europeans say big eyes are beautiful.