Himo are cords used for hanging, lashing or tying. By extension, himo also refers to the narrow ribbons wrapped around the rims of containers and leather boxes. These serve to strengthen the boxes as well as to ornament them. The name originates from the practice of hardening the cords with lacquer. Although this practice was common in the Nara period, by the Heian period, metal reinforcements were used for rims instead.