It is said that the origin of Mizuhiki is a red and white hemp string which was tied around a gift from the Sui Dynasty to the Japanese government, which was brought back to Japan by the mission led by ONO no Imoko.
小野妹子の隋からの帰国の際に同行した答礼使が携えた下賜品に結ばれていた紅白の麻の紐が水引の起源であるとされる。