Mizuhiki-Ro—B

The Ro variant in Hamanishi's 1990 Mizuhiki mezzotint series, designated "B" within its subgroup, presents another configuration of the decorative paper cords that accompany formal gift exchanges in Japan. "Ro" is the second character in the i-ro-ha sequence, placing this print in a specific position within the larger series. The mizuhiki cord, typically made from twisted washi paper reinforced with starch, achieves a surprising rigidity that allows it to hold complex three-dimensional knot forms. Hamanishi exploits the mezzotint's unmatched tonal range to describe the cord's cylindrical cross-section and the way individual strands compress and stretch at points of crossing and tension within the knot. Each print in the series reveals a different geometry while maintaining the consistent visual language of white-to-gray forms floating in deep black space.