Kaga Mizuhiki Tsuda mizuhiki orikata
ProfileMizuhiki-orikata is an ancient applied art of tying various knots of Japanese paper string.
Around 1910, Ogasawara-style of Mizuhiki-orikata became popular. Around 1915,
Mr.Soukichi Tsuda, a founder of Tsuda Mizuhiki Orikata, started the business of “Yuino”,
Japanese traditional engagement ceremony which both families exchange gifts, in importing
this style of Mizuhiki-orikata. It was so difficult to fold the paper strings tightly and routinely,
since the style should be changed for each different use. A little crease and distortion
damaged its elegant taste. Mizuhiki-orikata was only valuable in the beautiful appearance.
Soukichi studied Mizuhiki-orikata hard and at last he thought of one idea to modify
two-dimensional tied Mizuhiki without making any fold. This style made the form of productgorgeous. It is the origin of Mizuhiki-zaiku, three-dimensional model, which has beensucceeded to today. Today’s beautiful Mizuhiki-orikata with atmosphere of “Kagahyaku-man-goku”(the wealthy Kaga Domain with one million of koku of rice) came from a
revolutionary idea with a lot of efforts of Soukichi, founder.
About today's Mizuhiki Orikata
The technology to produce Kaga-Mizuhiki has been inherited by Tsuda-Mizuhiki-Orikata
produced in Kanazawa city, Ishikawa prefecture. Tody, after approximate 100years, thiscompany still produce Yuino-kazari (engagement decoration), and Kinpu( envelope withdecoration) made of Mizuhiki on the basis of the style that the founder, Soukichi Tsuda
contrived. Now, the fourth generation, Hiroshi and Sayumi,and the fifth generation,Rokusuke and Saki have preserved the tradition not only to produce Yuino-kazari, but also
to adopt new idea. The slogan of this company managed by new generation is “ Familiar
Mizuhiki-orikata that goes with modern life style”.

It is Mizuhiki-orikata to make “ consideration for others” to the physical form. Mizuhiki-orikta
used for the gifts. Mizuhiki-orikata is basically composed of 3 behaviors, to wrap byJapanese papers, to tie with Mizuhiki, paper strings, and to write the reason of the gift, thefeeling, and the name. Soukichi Tsuda originally created the harmony of the beautiful style ofJapanese papers, the sophisticated knots of Mizuhiki, and the excellent handwriting. This is
Tsuda Mizuhiki-orikata that been established under the name of “Kaga-Mizuhiki” astraditional craft products. For example, in Japan, the traditional engagement gifts are one of
the measures to make each family of the bridegroom and the bride to understand each other.
Each gift has a meaning. The beautiful appearance is also one of expression for respecting
the partner’s family. Even if we wrap the money by any paper and any envelope, the value ofmoney is not changed. However, the feeling that we would like to wrap the money withbeautiful paper for anyone is our expression of congratulating somebody truly. People tend
to recognize the traditional crafts as making products to use Mizuhiki. But what we should
succeed for next generation is how to express the beautiful feeling that Japanese have.
Products of Tsuda Mizuhiki-orikata
Mizuhki is a sring used to decorate wrapped gifts and made of long twisted strips ofJapanese paper which have been hardened with glue. The origin of Mizuhiki crafts isthree-dimensional models shaped like a crane, tortoise, and armor created by modifying
two-dimensional tied Mizuhiki by Soukichi Tsuda around 1916. Now, the products of Tsuda
Mizuhiki-orikata are full of variety like a special envelope for a monetary gift, interiors, andaccessory which go with today’s life style. Tsuda-mizuhiki uses the high quality handmade
Japanese paper called “ Danshi” for their special envelope for a monetary gift. So, at themoment when you touch it, you can see the difference of the quality from the general ones
sold in the super markets and convenience stores. The envelopes decorated with Mizuhiki
are Japanese traditional formal package for gift. The several knots of Mizuhiki and eachfolding style of paper have various meanings and each wish.