In Japan, the art of musubi, (literally “tying of knots”) began after the 7th century diplomat Ono no Imoko returned from his mission to China bearing a gift tied with a red and white hemp twine. From this developed the cultural practice of affixing traditional noshi paper to a gift and imbuing the giver’s consideration and respect towards the recipient in the knot. Mizuhiki bonds magokoro (a sincere heart) and en (connections); it is a cherished part of Japanese culture. Hakata Mizuhiki is a form of musubi papercraft that represents the refined, hospitable spirit of the Hakata area. It is also said that tying a mizuhiki knot will purify the object it is tied to, and bring good fortune. For example, if the knot is affixed to a bottle of sake, or wine, that item is thought to be purified, and by extension when you enjoy it, it essentially means that you are drinking fortune itself. Mizuhiki can also be displayed as a decoration for feng shui purposes.