Taking over person to person vol.1

The symbol of a “gift” in Japan – Mizuhiki –

Mizuhiki – it means to spread coating with glue.
I wonder why the paper cord is called Mizuhiki (usually, Mizu means water in Japanese).

It is created to twist up Washi paper and finish to a long paper string as if a thread is twisted. The cord is then finished spreading with glue and allowed to dry before being colored in crimson shades. This process is the origin of the name of Mizuhiki. Further, going back to ancient memories, it seems strongly associated with water.

Knot to pray for a safe journey – it is the origins of this traditional Japanese decoration, when Onono Imoko, an official envoy to the Sui court in the early 7th century, returned from the Sui in China by ship, brought back a gift that tied up with red and white hemp cord.

Speaking of Washi, Kochi is now famous for its production center in Shikoku, but Ehime had also been one of the most notable areas once. Handicraft paper-making has been to transition into mass production of the paper-manufacturing industry at that time. And, well-known companies produced paper here and developed high production volumes.

On the other hand, Mizuhiki was created here as if spinning the remained memories. And Knot culture as a traditional craft – “Iyo Mizuhiki” has been inherited. Mizuhiki is also made using machines these days; most of them are made in China. But nothing is comparable to its handicraft beauty.

The beautiful sculpture is born inside their hands. Pray. Appreciate. Make a relationship. Knot makes deep connections heart-to-heart or person-to-person. One’s thoughts go to the flow of time and people’s life, which are steeped in a piece of a knot.