Engagement Mizuhikis
Engagement mizuhikis are the most popular mizuhiki crafts manufactured today. They come in the shapes of evergreen, bamboo, plum flowers, cranes, turtles, treasure boats, shrimps and snappers, which are some of Japanese people's favorite symbols of happiness and prosperity. Mizuhiki crafts come in various sizes and designs. Fancy ones could be quite expensive.

Mizuhiki Crafts
The development in mizuhiki manufacturing has lead to the creation of elaborate, fancy mizuhikis in the recent years.

About Mizuhiki
(1) Why decorate gifts with mizuhikis
It is customary for Japanese people to send gifts for both joyful and sad events. In either case, the gifts are usually decorated with mizuhiki, which symbolizes purity. A gift decorated with mizuhiki shows sender's sincere thought for the recipient.

(2) History of Mizuhiki
The history of mizuhiki goes back to the Asuka period. Prince Shotoku sent Ono no Imoko to China, and upon his return to Japan Ono no Imoko brought back gifts that were decorated with red and white strings. This decoration is said to represent the givers' respect and consideration for the receiver.
During the Heian period, paper-strings were used to tie people's hair, called "motoyui." The manufacture and use of mizuhiki became common since this time.