For most men, the mere mention of going bald provokes a quickened pulse-rate and the onset of hyperventilation. To say the thought of hair loss scares most males is to dramatically understate the case.
In Japan, an estimated 11.5 million adult males -- almost one in four -- are bald, or balding. Eventually they'll have to make a decision: Either accept the hand dealt by their DNA, or take damage-limitation steps to delay or disguise it.
They may try hair-regrowth tonics, daily head massages or a change in diet (since oily and high-calorie food are believed to contribute to hair loss). But if all that fails, they may turn their thoughts to a wig or hairpiece -- both of which are covered by the Japanese word katsura.