Mizuhiki Certificate Course — Beyond the KnoT

Four days of learning, creating, and connecting through Japanese tradition.

A few delicate strands of mizuhiki.

At first, they may seem like nothing more than colourful cords.

But as our hands begin to move, the cords slowly take shape, forming knots that have been part of Japanese customs for generations.

Each knot carries its own form, technique, and sometimes a symbolic meaning.

And behind the beauty of these knots lies something I find even more meaningful.

The idea of connection.

A Journey That Begins with a Single Knot

This October, I welcomed participants to the Mizuhiki Beginner Certificate Course in Switzerland.

The course consists of four two-hour sessions, eight hours in total.

Together, we explore the foundations of mizuhiki, beginning with its history, materials, and traditional uses in Japan.

We then move on to the practical techniques, learning how to handle the cords and gradually create different knots.

What I hope to share is not simply how to make a beautiful knot.

I also want participants to discover why these knots have been valued and how they have become part of Japanese traditions.

The Meaning Behind the Knots

One of the most recognisable mizuhiki knots is the Awaji Musubi.

Its interwoven shape is often associated with a strong and lasting connection.

Unlike a simple bow that can easily be untied, the Awaji knot is generally used to express a bond that is not meant to be casually undone.

In traditional Japanese gift-giving, different knots are chosen according to the occasion.

Some are suitable for celebrations that we hope will happen again, while others are used for occasions that should not be repeated.

The choice of knot is therefore not simply decorative.

It can also communicate a message.

This is one of the things I find fascinating about mizuhiki.

A small knot can express something that might otherwise require many words.

Learning Through Our Hands

As the course progresses, participants discover that each knot has its own rhythm.

Some require careful attention to the direction of the cords.

Others challenge us to maintain balance and symmetry.

Sometimes, we need to undo a knot and begin again.

And that is perfectly fine.

Working with mizuhiki is not about rushing towards a finished object.

It is also about enjoying the process, learning through our hands, and discovering the quiet satisfaction of creating something ourselves.

When Craft Becomes Conversation

One of the most rewarding moments of this course came during our second session.

As we worked with mizuhiki, our conversations naturally moved beyond the craft itself.

We spoke about Japan’s relationship with nature, about the experience of living with natural disasters, and about cultural traditions such as the pilgrimage to the 88 temples of Shikoku.

These conversations reminded me that learning a traditional craft can open a door to much more than technique.

It can become an opportunity to explore different ways of thinking, living, and understanding the world.

I was deeply touched by the participants’ curiosity and openness.

At the end of the session, everyone told me how much they were looking forward to coming back.

Their words made me happy.

But more than that, I realised how much positive energy I had received from them.

What We Create Together

[This section will be completed after Day 3 and Day 4.]

As the course continues, the participants will bring together the techniques they have learned and create their own finished pieces.

I hope that what remains with them after these four days is not only the ability to make mizuhiki knots.

I hope they will also carry a small connection to Japanese culture, along with the memories of learning and creating together.

Because for me, musubi is never only about tying cords.

It is also about the connections we make along the way.

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A Small Piece of Japan

結び — Musubi

To tie. To join. To connect.

The Japanese word musubi can describe the physical act of tying things together, but it can also evoke the connections and relationships that bring people together.

In mizuhiki, a knot can become a beautiful expression of these ideas.

Sometimes, the most meaningful thing we take home is not what we have made, but what we have shared.