I learned the ceremonial process, made and placed a golden origami crane under her statue, and I continue sharing the story with whomever I meet. It is here I found why the origami crane has become a symbol of peace and because of the young Japanese girl named Sadako Sasaki who died of leukemia from the atomic bomb. Seeing first hand some of the tiny origami cranes made by Sadako herself, photographs and the Children’s Peace Monument moved me to tears. My host family took me to the museum and the Children’s Peace Monument for an experience I will never forget. During this trip, it so happened to be the 60th anniversary of the WWII atomic bombing in Hiroshima, Japan. In 2005, I was honored to be the Michigan 4-H outbound chaperone through the States’ 4-H International Japan outbound summer program. “This is our Cry, This is our Prayer Peace in the World.” Photo by Jan Brinn, MSU Extension. Sadako Peace Monument in Hiroshima, Japan. The crane is believed to live for 1,000 years and that is the meaning behind 1,000 an individual needs to fold. I have since heard or read of other schools doing similar projects as they learn about WWII and Sadako Sasaki.Īccording to Japanese tradition, folding 1,000 paper cranes gives a person a chance to make one special wish come true. The school turned it into an opportunity of global education and service learning as the students gave their cranes to the Make a Wish Foundation to give to the children in the hospital to make wishes for good health. ĭuring that time, my Japanese friend and I went into an elementary school, taught over 100 students how to make the cranes and briefly explained the story about when someone gives you an origami crane, it represents friendship, good health and world peace. This started my crane-making obsession after she taught me how to make the origami cranes. Our Japanese guest quickly became a part of our family she shared the story of "Sadako & 1000 Paper Cranes" by Eleanor Coerr with us. To answer their question, I explain how I started making cranes many years ago when hosting a Japanese guest through the Michigan 4-H International Exchange Summer Program through States' 4-H International. And when I just need a fidget activity, my hands will go to work creating origami cranes. During airplane rides, little kids will be playing with the cranes I give them to keep them occupied. After long meetings, cranes made from gum or candy wrappers will be found on the tables. At restaurants, my servers will always have a tiny origami crane made from the napkin paper added to their tip. The question, “Why do you make origami cranes?” has been asked of me many times by family, friends, colleagues and even complete strangers as they watch me making an origami crane from whatever paper is available in the moment.
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