Iida Mizuhiki is mizuhiki made in Iida City and the surrounding area in southern Nagano Prefecture. Mizuhiki are cords made by twisting washi into strings, stiffening them with water-based starch paste (mizunori) and coloring them, and they are used to decorate gifts such as congratulatory money envelopes and betrothal gifts (yuino). Iida has long been a center of washi making, and in the Edo period it made its name as a production area for motoyui made from that washi. Motoyui are paper cords used to tie and bind the topknot (mage), and those improved by Sakurai Bunshichi in the Genroku era became famous even in Edo as 'Bunshichi Motoyui.' When demand for motoyui fell sharply because of the Haircut Edict (Dampatsurei) in the Meiji period, sturdy, glossy mizuhiki came to be made using those techniques. Today the Iida area produces about 70 percent of the mizuhiki products in Japan. In addition to money envelopes (kinpu) and betrothal gifts, mizuhiki ornaments in the shapes of cranes and of pine, bamboo and plum (shochikubai), as well as accessories, are also made. In 2014 it became a Traditional Craft Designated by the Governor of Nagano Prefecture.
Origin
Washi has been made in the Iida area since ancient times, and the Engishiki of the Heian period records that paper was presented to the court from Ina District. 堀親昌, who became lord of the Iida Domain in Kanbun 12 (1672), encouraged the making of motoyui using Iida's 大帳紙 (ledger paper), which was famed for being strong and water-resistant. In Genroku 2 (1689), Sakurai Bunshichi improved motoyui and created glossy, sturdy ones. These, spread through a shop opened in Edo, were called 'Bunshichi Motoyui,' and they raised the name of Iida motoyui throughout the country.
History
By the late Edo period, it was recorded that half of the motoyui in Edo were made from Iida's kozo (paper mulberry) paper. Demand for motoyui fell sharply with the Haircut Edict of Meiji 4 (1871), but in Iida, improvements were made to motoyui and glossy, sturdy mizuhiki were created. In the Showa period the variety of knots increased, and production of money envelopes, betrothal gifts and mizuhiki ornaments grew until it became a local industry. In 2014 it became a Traditional Craft Designated by the Governor of Nagano Prefecture.
Features
Iida Mizuhiki is high-quality mizuhiki made from strong, sturdy washi. Its core is made by cutting thin washi into tape and twisting it. Besides 'iro-mizuhiki' (colored mizuhiki), which is stiffened with starch paste and colored directly, there are many varieties, such as 'kinumaki mizuhiki,' wrapped in rayon, and film-wrapped mizuhiki (特光水引), wrapped in thin film. Because it is supple and easy to tie and allows a wide variety of original forms, it is also used for gorgeous ornaments that decorate celebrations.
Techniques
Awaji Musubi (Awaji Knot)
The most basic mizuhiki knot. It is tied firmly in the center, and once tied, it is hard to undo. It is used for weddings, funerals, get-well gifts and other occasions that one hopes will never be repeated. It is also the basis of many other knots, such as the ume musubi (plum blossom knot) and the kame-no-ko musubi (tortoise shell knot).
Hana Musubi (Bow Knot)
A knot that comes undone when pulled, used for celebrations other than weddings, such as births and advancing to a new school, which are happy no matter how many times they occur. Choosing the knot to suit the occasion of the gift is also one of the important points of mizuhiki etiquette.
Tanaka-style Mizuhiki Manufacturing Method
A manufacturing method developed by 田中宗吉商店 (Tanaka Sokichi Shoten), a mizuhiki shop in Iida, in the Meiji and Taisho periods, when cords were made by hand. Mizuhiki were dried in the sun at outdoor workspaces, which greatly improved work efficiency and led to the spread of mizuhiki manufacturing throughout Iida.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Cutting the Paper
Thin washi is cut into narrow tape.
- 2
Twisting
The washi tape is twisted to make a string-like core.
- 3
Starching and Drying
The core is stiffened with starch paste and dried to make a firm cord.
- 4
Finishing
The core is colored, or wrapped in rayon or film, to finish it.
- 5
Tying and Crafting
The cords are tied with knots such as the awaji musubi and made into money envelopes, betrothal gifts and mizuhiki ornaments.
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Artisans & Workshops
田中宗吉商店
A long-established mizuhiki shop founded in 1877 (Meiji 10), located in 今宮町, Iida City. In the Taisho period it obtained a patent for the 'Tanaka-style Mizuhiki Manufacturing Method.' At the 1998 Nagano Olympics, it made all six Iida mizuhiki items adopted as official commemorative goods.
Official site →木下水引
A mizuhiki maker founded in 1961 and headquartered in 上殿岡, Iida City. Carrying on the techniques of Iida Mizuhiki, which began with motoyui, it makes handmade betrothal gifts and money envelopes while also developing new mizuhiki products that suit the sensibilities of the times.
Official site →関島水引店
A mizuhiki shop in Iida City. Its representative, 関島正浩, is a craftsperson who has given mizuhiki demonstrations at the media center of the G7 Karuizawa Foreign Ministers' Meeting and at Japan Expo in France, and who also teaches mizuhiki classes in Iida City.
飯田水引協同組合
The production-area cooperative for Iida Mizuhiki, with its office inside S-Bird in Zakoji, Iida City. It shares information such as the history of mizuhiki, the etiquette of betrothal gifts and money envelopes, and how to make mizuhiki ornaments, and also runs an official online shop.
Official site →How to Buy
- Iida Mizuhiki Online Shop
- The official online shop of the Iida Mizuhiki Cooperative. Besides money envelopes, noshi and betrothal gifts made with mizuhiki, it offers everything from mizuhiki materials and motoyui to tools and teaching materials for making mizuhiki ornaments, which you can choose and buy by purpose or type.Where to buy →PR
- 田中宗吉商店
- A long-established mizuhiki shop at 3-37 今宮町, Iida City. It makes and sells betrothal gifts, noshi envelopes, wedding decorations, New Year decorations and more. It also handles plain nama-mizuhiki material that can be used for making accessories and other items. Open on weekdays from 9:00 to 17:30.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
南信州まるごとショップ おいでなんしょ
長野県飯田市座光寺3349-1（エス・バード内）
Mizuhiki classes are held here, in which Iida Mizuhiki craftspeople teach the awaji musubi and ume musubi. Classes cost about 2,500 yen per person, with bookings for groups of 10 or more. If you buy a mizuhiki kit for about 500 yen at the shop, you can try tying even on your own.
View details →FAQ
Q. How are motoyui and mizuhiki different?
A. Motoyui are paper cords used to tie and bind the base of the topknot (mage), and they are still used today for the hair of professional sumo wrestlers. Motoyui making flourished in Iida in the Edo period, and when demand fell after the Meiji Haircut Edict, the techniques were improved to make mizuhiki for decorating gifts.
Q. What is the connection between the Nagano Olympics and mizuhiki?
A. At the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Iida mizuhiki ornaments were given as commemorative gifts to athletes, officials and members of the overseas press. Paralympic prizewinners were awarded laurel crowns made of mizuhiki.