Dictionaries of the Edo period differentiated between Kogai hairpins and Kanzashi ornamental hairpins: 'Kanzashi ornamental hairpins' were also used for removing wax from the ears and, those not used for that purpose were 'Kogai hairpins.'
江戸時代の辞典には「先が耳かきのものを簪、そうでないのは笄」と区別してある。