# Mizuhiki

/mizuˈhiki/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mizuhiki
Updated: 2026-10-14

## Definition

a traditional Japanese art form that uses special stiff paper cords to tie knots for gifts and cards. The colors and shapes of the knots have different meanings, like wishing someone good luck or celebrating a wedding.

For teachers: a traditional Japanese art form involving the use of stiffened rice-paper cords to create decorative knots for gift-giving and ceremonial occasions. The specific color combinations and knot structures signify the nature of the event, such as longevity, celebration, or mourning.

## Examples

- She tied a beautiful red and white mizuhiki knot on the wedding gift.
- During the New Year celebrations, many Japanese households display envelopes decorated with intricate mizuhiki to symbolize good fortune and strong relationships.
- While modern gift-wrapping often favors simple ribbons, the precise geometry of mizuhiki remains a vital cultural signifier in formal Japanese etiquette, where the direction of the knot's tails can distinguish a funeral from a birth.

## Synonyms

knotwork

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