Japanese kazarimusubi has two origins: one is a several types of decorative knots which were brought into the country together with the teaching of Buddhism, and the other is the red and white hemp cords which decorated the gifts brought back to Japan by a Japanese envoy to Sui Dynasty China (this is same as mizuhiki, or decorative strings).
日本の飾り結びは、仏教とともに伝わったいくつかの結びと、遣隋使が持ち帰った下賜品に結ばれていた紅白の麻紐が起源とされる（水引と同じ）。