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History

Sanada Himo cords were originally invented centuries ago by Masayuki Sanada and his son Yukimura (Nobushige), the Warring States-era generals. Peddlers of cords named these sturdy cords after Sanada, who became famous during the Summer Campaign of the Siege of Osaka, going around selling them as "Sanada Himo cords, made by Sanada, the greatest warrior in Japan." At the time, goods were routinely distributed in wooden boxes, so the tough and sturdy Sanada Himo cords that held these boxes tightly shut came to be treasured as a valuable part of everyday life. The cords themselves have also been trusted with secrets over the years, as well: changes in the color patterns of these cords have been used as secret ciphers, and important letters have been held shut using Sanada Himo cords tied into complex knots, as a way of indicating that the letter had been opened along its way to its recipient. Additionally, Sanada Himo cords made of cotton will not slip even when wet, so Yukimura Sanada used them to tie his sword scabbard onto his body, to secure his armor, and for many other uses.
As Sanada Himo cords came into wider use, they began to be produced in a wide variety of styles, with special patterns even coming to be used in a manner akin to family crests. This custom can still be seen today, with different schools of the tea ceremony and artisans having their own preferred pattern of Sanada Himo cord to use to tie paulownia wood boxes shut.