Hairy — Chinese

While initially a descriptive or administrative category for outsiders, it gradually evolved into a derogatory slur used to emphasize the "otherness" or "uncivilized" nature of foreigners. Cultural Significance Today

Historically, ke-tō was used by the Japanese to describe foreigners. The "hairy" prefix was not necessarily a commentary on facial hair, but rather a way to distinguish "barbarians" or outsiders from the perceived "civilized" norms of the Japanese court, which heavily modeled itself after the Tang Dynasty. Evolution of the Term hairy chinese

As Japan's contact with the West increased, especially during the Meiji Restoration, the application of the term shifted: While initially a descriptive or administrative category for