For Kyoko Omoda, mizuhiki — the decorative art of knot-tying — is a special way of connecting people to Japanese culture through gift-giving, and she hopes to use her experience to help others find their own ties to the past.
"It's a uniquely Japanese tradition of hospitality that not only puts importance on the gift but reflects the sender's thoughtfulness in putting just as much care on how it is wrapped," said Omoda, who started learning the art from a friend 10 years ago when their family moved to Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture.
Having spent part of her younger life in Kenya and Indonesia, Omoda, 52, found herself searching for a way to connect to her Japanese cultural identity upon her return. Mizuhiki proved to be one powerful link.