Kubijiken

 

During the time of Nobunaga, the kubijiken (head viewing ceremony) was common after battle.  Women and children would often clean and apply make-up to the decapitated heads.  Nasty and gruesome indeed.  Taking heads was common practice by samurai and foot soldiers to distinguish themselves in battle.

Chris Glenn's Sekigahara (p. 109).

"The head was then cleaned, perfumed, and mounted for inspection and registration back at base camp.  Powdered rice was used to mop up and stop any blood or other fluids leaking from the head.  Women specially trained in the art of arranging the heads were employed for the gruesome task. Unafraid of freshly decapitated heads also blacked the teeth of any head upon order."

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga often mentions many heads taken in battle as well as the name heads of the enemy.

Nobunaga no tame!