Mizihiki Crane Ornament

This month's feature is a mizuhiki crane ornament. It is numbered in the Dard Hunter Collection as #2017.02.002 and is approximately 15 inches long. Dard Hunter collected this item during a visit to Japan in 1935. Mizuhiki is a Japanese art form using decorative cord made from washi that has been dyed or coated in metallic leafing, silk, or colored mylar. Mizuhiki is used for gift-wrapping and making ornaments, and it is related to a tradition in Japan called noshi. Noshi refers to folded paper that is attached to gifts, with mizuhiki tying the piece down. 

Mizuhiki is usually attached specifically to money gifts, presented in intricate knots or ornaments that symbolize good luck. Common animal ornaments include turtles and cranes, which symbolize long life, prosperity, and peace. The colors of the cords are significant - there are eight primary combinations for different occasions. The red and gold on this crane are used with gifts presented for auspicious events; very formal occasions use crimson and white. In the present day, mizuhiki is also used in jewelry and home décor. The tradition of mizuhiki can be traced 1400 years back to the Asuka period in Japan, when Japanese emissaries returning from China presented gifts to the emperor that were wrapped in decorative cords.  

We hope that you enjoyed this peek at our collection! We'll be back next month with another artifact. Have a great July!