The young girl began making 1,000 paper cranes in the hopes of being granted her wish to recover from her illness. By the time she was 12, the radiation exposure had developed into leukemia, and she was given just one year to live. When Sadako Sasaki was two years old, she was exposed to radiation from the atomic bomb that devastated Hiroshima in 1945. The Story of Sadako Sasaki and 1,000 Paper Cranes The paper bird later became a symbol of hope and healing during challenging times, and the folding of 1,000 paper cranes was popularized with the story of a young girl named Sadako Sasaki. In Japanese folklore, it’s alleged that a person can be granted one wish if they fold 1,000 origami cranes (this practice is called senbazuruin Japanese). It features the earliest known instructions on how to make origami cranes, along with countless examples of different kinds. Hiden Senbazuru Orikata (“Secret to Folding One-thousand Cranes”), published in Japan in 1797, is the first known book on origami. However, it wasn’t until the 16th century that the art of the origami crane was officially recorded. The tradition of the Japanese orizuru ( ori– “folded,” tsuru “crane”), or paper crane, began in feudal Japan (1185–1603 CE), when people gifted each other the paper figures as symbols of honor and loyalty. There’s even a traditional prayer that is sometimes recited by mothers who are concerned for their children: However, the Japanese are particularly fond of the crane, and often refer to it as the “ bird of happiness.” The crane is thought to represent good fortune and longevity, and its wings are believed to provide protection. In Japan, China, and Korea, the crane is believed to be a mythical creature that lives for 1,000 years. And today, origami continues to be a popular pastime in Japan and around the world. Common people began practicing origami and gifting their paper creations to friends and family. It wasn’t until Japan’s Edo Period (1603–1868)-when paper was more affordable-that origami was viewed as a leisurely activity. Japanese monks crafted paper figures for ceremonial Shinto rituals and for decorating formal ceremonies. When origami was first practiced, paper was expensive, so the craft was only for the elite. The term comes from the Japanese words oru (to fold) and kami (paper). However, the craft became known as origami in 1880. Origami was initially known as orikata (folded shapes). Paper was later introduced to Japan during the sixth century and while many other cultures engaged in paper folding, it was the Japanese that made it an art form. The first process for making paper was documented in China during the Eastern Han period (25–220 CE). “Orizuru o tsukuru shōjo” by Isoda Koryūsai, 1772 or 1773 (Photo: Library of Congress)
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