What is Mizuhiki? The "Heart" Conveyed Through Color and Knots

Mizuhiki are traditional Japanese decorative cords, originating from koyori—thin strips of washi (Japanese paper) twisted tightly together. Among them, the Iyo Mizuhiki we are introducing today accounts for a large majority of domestic production.

Its greatest feature is the unique tension and supple flexibility that comes from its washi paper base. The core of a mizuhiki cord is made of washi, around which dyed film or colored thread is wound. This gives it the strength of a wire despite being made of paper, allowing it to even stand on its own. It is this material property that makes such a wide range of expressions possible, from sharp, formal, linear shapes to graceful, flowing curves.

Mizuhiki also functions as a kind of communication tool, with symbolic meaning embedded in its colors and knots.

In terms of color, red-and-white or gold-and-silver combinations are used for celebrations (keiji), where red symbolizes joy and warding off evil, and white represents sanctity and purity. For mourning occasions (chōji) such as funerals, black-and-white or all-silver cords are used.

The shape of the knot also plays a crucial role. The chō-musubi (butterfly knot) can be easily untied and retied, so it is used for happy events that one would hope to see repeated, such as childbirth or school admissions. In contrast, the musubi-kiri (final knot) and awaji-musubi (Awaji knot) are tied in a way that is difficult to undo. They are reserved for one-time-only events that you would not wish to repeat, such as weddings, recovery from illness, or funerals.

Thus, mizuhiki is not just ornamentation, but a cultural symbol that conveys the sender's feelings and the nature of the occasion more powerfully than words alone.

Why Did Ehime Become a Leading Producer? The Geographical and Historical Background

Today, most mizuhiki products in Japan are made in Ehime Prefecture, particularly around the city of Shikoku-Chūō. Several interconnected factors contributed to this region's development as a leading production center.

One of the most significant factors was its proximity to high-quality raw materials. The region's access to nearby production centers of the strong washi paper, which determines the quality of mizuhiki, gave it a major advantage over other areas.

Additionally, its location on the Seto Inland Sea facilitated maritime transport to Osaka, the economic heart of Japan at the time. This ensured efficient logistical access to a huge market.

Support from the local feudal government was also a key element. The production of motoyui—the precursor to mizuhiki—was an industry encouraged by the domain in the Edo period to support the livelihoods of the samurai. This early, organized patronage laid the industrial foundation for the craft.

These geographical, economic, and political factors interacted to elevate the region into a major center for mizuhiki production.

From Hair Ties to Decorations: The Historical Evolution of Mizuhiki

So, how was mizuhiki born and developed in the land of Iyo after it became a major production hub?

The origins of mizuhiki culture are said to date back to the Asuka period (592-710). When Ono no Imoko, an envoy to the Sui Dynasty in China, returned to Japan, the reciprocal gifts from the continent were tied with a red and white hemp cord. This is believed to be the beginning of the custom of using red and white cords for celebratory occasions.

Mizuhiki production began in Iyo during the Edo period. The catalyst was when samurai of the domain learned to make motoyui, a paper cord used to tie their topknots (mage), and were encouraged to produce it as a side business. At this point, mizuhiki was not a ceremonial decoration but a practical necessity that signified the status of the samurai class.

The greatest turning point in its history came in the Meiji period (1868-1912). With the dissolution of the samurai class and the enactment of the Danpatsu-rei (edict ordering men to cut their topknots), the demand for motoyui was decimated. Faced with this crisis, the artisans found a new path by pivoting their skills toward producing the decorative mizuhiki used for celebratory items.

From a practical item to a cultural symbol—this brilliant business transformation, combined with the introduction of machinery to streamline production, was the decisive factor that propelled Iyo into becoming one of Japan's foremost mizuhiki production centers.

Tradition Evolves: Modern Mizuhiki Art that Brightens Our Lives

Traditionally, mizuhiki has adorned our major life events, primarily as decorations for celebratory envelopes and betrothal gifts (yuinō). In the modern era, however, its role has expanded significantly.

While formal ceremonies like the yuinō have become simplified due to changes in lifestyle, the beauty of mizuhiki as a material and its artistic potential have been brought into the spotlight.

Today, it appears in our lives in entirely new forms, with its delicate techniques being used to create fashion accessories like earrings and brooches, art panels to adorn walls, and even sculptural objects that define a space. It is sometimes used to create wedding rings for people with metal allergies or adopted for large-scale displays that decorate the entire space of a high-end hotel restaurant.

This shows that mizuhiki has evolved beyond its traditional ceremonial framework into a new medium of expression that caters to individual aesthetics and modern lifestyles.