Tabloids ran photos of 30-year-old Komuro's ponytail from every angle, with some comparing it to a samurai's top knot. On social media, some tweeted support forhis new look, while others said it was unsuitable for the groom of a royal bride.
A ponytail may not cause a stir in the West, but people in Japan are expected to reflect their status and role through their actions and words. People saw the ponytail as a sign Komuro wasn't conforming to social expectations, according to Hitomi Tonomura, a women's and gender studies professor at the University of Michigan.
