As the temperature begins to cool during the first week of December, we are welcomed into the Holiday season and start to consider what to gift to our loved ones. Whatever it is that you may decide on, why don’t you try to wrap it in Mizuhiki, a Japanese decorative cord made from twisted thin pieces of washi (Japanese hand-made paper), used to wrap around gifts or envelopes. The intricate wrapping symbolizes connecting people together; thus, this gifting tradition is seen as a good luck charm.
There are many color variations and combinations of mizuhiki, each having a different purpose. For example, the gold & silver combination is used for one-off celebrations such as wedding ceremonies or longevity celebrations, while the more commonly seen red & white combination is used for general celebrations, and the gold & red combination is used for Shinto talismans and kadomatsu decorations on New Year’s Day.
There are also many variations in the way that Mizuhiki strings are tied and the number of strings used, each way having a different meaning and purpose. Therefore, mizuhiki hold significant symbolism and evoke a sentiment of great consideration to those who receive it, as the elaborate variants of knotting take precision and care. We hope you can enjoy this Christmas season by partaking in a Japanese custom and conveying your appreciation for those around you through gifting a present tied in mizuhiki!
, used to wrap around gifts or envelopes. The intricate wrapping symbolizes connecting people together; thus, this gifting tradition is seen as a good luck charm.){kind=link}