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"Mizuhiki"
by Haruko Shimizu
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(Photo
taken in 2006 Aki Matsuri)
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Mizuhiki
decorative ties are seen on gifts or money envelopes - red and white,
gold and silver - these beautiful elaborately twisted ties for weddings
and special occasions like engagement ceremonies, New Year decorations,
and Girl's Day Festivals. They are also seen in stark black and white
ties on funeral offerings, or in black and silver. Whatever the occasion
Mizuhiki sets the tone of the occasion, marking it as distinctively
Japanese.
From about 607 AD, Mizuhiki appeared in Japan for use in Imperial
court rituals. It may have received its name from the dyed string
looping like a flowing river. Especially in Heian times (1000-1200
AD), the wire like string was dyed blue, purple and yellow, resembling
flowers floating downstream. During the Muromachi period, mizuhiki
came into more popular use with Chinese motifs like Shoohikubai (pine,
bamboo, plum) or tsurukame, tortoise and crane motifs.
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Haruko
Shimizu represents one of a handful of dedicated individuals who have
labored through their lives to introduce the fine arts and crafts
of Japan in America. She has spent over 60 years mastering and teaching
mizuhiki-the Japanese paper-cord craft that she is demonstrating and
displaying at this Matsuri.
Shimizu-sensei studied this art in Japan over an extended period before
and since World War II. She began teaching mizuhiki in 1984. In 1996,
Shimizu-san was accorded the honorary professional name of Shun Setsu
(spring snow) by her long-time teacher in Japan, Noboru Sekijima,
who heads the association in Japan for mizuhiki craft. She has authored,
in English, the book "Mizuhiki: Kogei Nyumon, A step-by-step
guide to Japanese Paper Cord Weaving" available from Kinokuniya
Books in Uwajimaya. |
(Photos
taken in 2007 Sakura Matsuri)
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