Snippets of Japan #2: Origami Crane
Delicate & Powerful Simplicity
The Origami Crane - or tsuru - was one of my first tactile connections with Japan. The simple act of sitting down with a piece of paper, and folding it into a crane, has the power to bring quietness, peace, and hope. It can also be healing. It’s so simple and so powerful.
It is said that folding one thousand cranes grants you a wish by the gods. This practice, known as Senbazuru, points to the Japanese dedication to perseverance and spiritual tranquility.
A touching story linked to these paper cranes is the story of Sadako Sasaki. As a young girl afflicted with leukemia from the aftermath of Hiroshima, Sadako folded cranes from her hospital bed, holding onto the hope of recovery and a wish for world peace. Her story encouraged a global embrace of the crane as an emblem of peace.
For me, the act of folding cranes is a meditative practice, a moment to pause and infuse my daily routine with the peaceful spirit of Japan. They’re also a beautiful way to share good wishes with friends, or to express gratitude. They can have all sorts of creative uses too - back in 1998, when I lived in Toulouse, a Japanese guy asked me out by writing his phone number in a paper crane he made for me. I was so touched. His simple action contained the time and thoughtfulness he dedicated to folding the tsuru.
The most simple things are powerful in conveying depth.
I invite you to fold your own Origami Cranes. Let every crease carry a personal wish for peace, tying it to the collective hopes of many around the world.
Here’s how you can fold your tsuru:
If you want to visit the birthplace of the Origami Crane, join me on the 2024 NAMKHA Trip to Japan! We will be diving into deep connection with the Japanese nature, the unique culture, while we also explore our inner connection. There will be so many moments related to the simplicity of making an origami crane.
