Tying a single cord can turn it into a key or even a pretty flower. Yet no matter how elaborate the knot becomes, it will revert to a single cord when unraveled. Over the years, decorative knots have made a beautiful transformation through the delicate and refined handiwork of the Japanese people.
The ability to make creative and stunning decorative knots was considered to be an important skill for women of the nobility in the 12th century; thus, it was deemed to be one of the most important skills that they studied. Around this time, hana-musubi, literally meaning “flower knots,” were popular.

However, the history of the adorning hana-musubi met dramatic change in the Warring States period, from the end of the 15th century through the end of the 16th century. Samurai lords valued the tea ceremony, but they feared the possibility of poisoned tea. To avert this, the tea masters who served samurai lords initiated the custom of tying the pouches containing tea powder in their own complex way which could not be imitated. If by any chance the knot could be unraveled, it would be impossible to tie it again in the same way, making it obvious if someone had opened it. These untraceable knots were called fuuji-musubi, literally meaning “seal knot”—a single cord which brilliantly served as a key.