The Origins of Mizuhiki: A “Prayer” Tying People Together

Mizuhiki traces its origins back to the Asuka period. In the year 607, when Ono no Imoko returned from China as an envoy to the Sui dynasty, the gifts sent back to Japan were tied with red and white hemp cords to pray for safe passage. This moment is considered the beginning of Mizuhiki in Japan. From that point on, it became customary to tie red and white cords around offerings to the imperial court. At the time, these cords were also referred to as Kurenai (deep crimson).

During the Muromachi period, the material evolved from hemp to Washi (Japanese paper). One widely accepted theory is that the name “Mizuhiki” came from the process of twisting thin strips of Washi into cords, coating them with starch glue (Mizunori), and drying them to harden. This technique gave the cords a unique flexibility and firmness, allowing for more intricate and beautiful knot designs.

By the Edo period, gift-giving customs spread beyond the samurai class to merchants and farmers, embedding Mizuhiki deeply into the daily lives of the people. What began as a simple cord transformed into a symbol of respect and sincerity. This desire to give physical form to intangible emotions reflects the Japanese aesthetic of mindful expression.