Iyo Mizuhiki (Decorative Paper Cords)
Iyo Mizuhiki (Decorative Paper Cords of Shikokuchuo)
Iyo Mizuhiki refers to mizuhiki (decorative paper cords) and mizuhiki products made in Shikokuchuo City, Ehime Prefecture. Mizuhiki are cords made by twisting washi into strings and coating them with paste, and they are used to tie congratulatory money envelopes and gifts. Shikokuchuo City is known as a 'paper town' with a thriving papermaking industry, and mizuhiki production began there in the Edo period with the making of motoyui, cords used to tie up hair. When demand for motoyui fell because of the Haircut Edict (Dampatsurei) in the Meiji period, the area expanded its products to mizuhiki, money envelopes (kinpu) and betrothal gift (yuino) decorations. Today it is regarded as one of Japan's two major mizuhiki production areas, alongside Iida City in Nagano Prefecture. It is designated as a Traditional Specialty Product (designated by Ehime Prefecture) under the name 'mizuhiki and mizuhiki products,' and 19 companies are members of the Iyo Mizuhiki Kinpu Cooperative, founded in 1958 (Showa 33). Many Traditional Craftspeople have emerged from among its members, and new products are also being developed, such as accessories that make use of the skills of yuino decoration making.
Origin
Shikokuchuo City prospered as a papermaking village, blessed with mitsumata and kozo (paper mulberry) from the valleys of the Hoo Mountains (Hoo Sanmyaku), abundant water, and pine groves suited to drying paper. Iyo Mizuhiki is said to have begun, together with this papermaking, from the making of motoyui in the Edo period. Motoyui production is said to have started in the Genroku era, in the mid-Edo period.
History
There are two theories about how motoyui making began: one says that craftsmen from Shinshu started it at Muramatsu-cho in the former city of Iyomishima and on Niihama Beach in Mendori-cho in the former city of Kawanoe, and the other says it was introduced from Awa or Tosa. When demand for motoyui fell because of the Haircut Edict after the Meiji Restoration, the area shifted to producing mizuhiki, which use the same material. It then went on to develop colored mizuhiki, gold and silver mizuhiki, money envelopes, yuino decorations and mizuhiki crafts, becoming one of Japan's leading production areas. The cooperative reports that at the time of the 1928 (Showa 3) Enthronement Ceremony (Gotaiten), its products were purchased by the Imperial Household Ministry.
Features
One theory holds that the name mizuhiki comes from the method of repeatedly applying water-based paste (mizunori) to twisted paper strings and drying them. The process of making the white base is called 'kogi,' and it is considered the most difficult task, requiring many years of training. Shikokuchuo City is home to a cluster of papermaking and paper-processing companies, and while carrying on traditional skills, the area has long been quick to pursue mechanization and new product development.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Making Paper Strings
Washi from large rolls of paper is cut into tape-like strips about 2 cm wide. These are moistened and twisted on a twisting machine, then twisted tightly once more to make paper strings with a firm core. In machine-made mizuhiki, these cords are called 'tsuguri.'
- 2
Kogi
About 130 paper strings cut to just under 30 meters are stretched out, like an unrolled sash, in an open space called the 'hataba.' The task of applying a paste of clay powder mixed with funori to create the white base is called 'kogi,' and it is considered the most difficult step in making hand-processed (tekogi) mizuhiki.
- 3
Dyeing and Cutting
The paper strings with their white base are dyed at even intervals in colors such as red, black and yellow. Once dry, they are cut into lengths of about 1.8 meters to complete the mizuhiki. In machine-made mizuhiki, after the paste is applied and dried with warm air, only the required lengths are colored to divide the colors.
- 4
Cutting and Bundling
The dried mizuhiki are cut to the required length, bundled in set numbers and shipped. The finished mizuhiki are made into money envelopes, noshi (gift decorations), yuino decorations and more. They are also tied and combined into three-dimensional mizuhiki ornaments such as cranes and pines.
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Artisans & Workshops
伊予水引金封協同組合
A production-area cooperative founded in 1958 (Showa 33), with its office in Mendori-cho, Shikokuchuo City. In addition to joint purchasing and sales of materials, it works on passing on mizuhiki culture and developing new uses. A group of its members launched the brand 'MIMUS.'
Official site →株式会社今村紙工
A member of the Iyo Mizuhiki Kinpu Cooperative. 今村八千代, a Traditional Craftsperson, works here. Involved in the MIMUS initiative, 今村 describes the mission as creating a foundation for handing Iyo Mizuhiki on to the next generation.
株式会社有高扇山堂
A member of the Iyo Mizuhiki Kinpu Cooperative, described as a mizuhiki maker founded more than 90 years ago. The cooperative's website introduces 有高智佳代 and 篠永芳美 as Traditional Craftspeople. It also makes new mizuhiki products such as coasters and earrings.
How to Buy
- MIMUS Official Online Shop
- The online shop of the Iyo Mizuhiki Kinpu Cooperative's brand. '子無垢,' miniature versions of yuino decorations, are listed at 27,500 to 88,000 yen. 'Inishie,' accessories made with hand-processed mizuhiki from the Showa era, start at around 3,300 yen.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
愛媛県産業技術研究所 紙産業技術センター 水引体験コーナー
愛媛県四国中央市妻鳥町乙127 研究交流棟2階
A corner where visitors can learn traditional knots step by step, from beginner to advanced levels. The experience is free and is said to take about 30 minutes. Groups of 10 or more need to reserve in advance. It is closed on Mondays and during the year-end and New Year holidays.
View details →紙のまち資料館
愛媛県四国中央市川之江町4069-1
A museum that presents the history of the paper town and the papermaking process with models and panels. Admission is free. It is said to hold paper workshops, including mizuhiki crafts, throughout the year. The handmade washi experience has a basic fee of 200 yen, and the museum is closed on Mondays.
FAQ
Q. What is the difference between Iyo Mizuhiki and Iida Mizuhiki?
A. Both became mizuhiki production areas through motoyui making in the Edo period. Iyo Mizuhiki's home, Shikokuchuo City, is a papermaking town, and it is said to have been quick to pursue mechanization and the development of money envelopes and yuino goods, taking advantage of its concentration of paper-related companies.
Q. Why are there accessories made with old mizuhiki?
A. MIMUS's 'Inishie' are accessories made from stock of hand-processed mizuhiki produced in the 1950s and 1960s. It is said that mizuhiki with the same colors and texture as back then can no longer be made today. The brand puts these long-stored materials to use in forms suited to modern life.