14 Jun 2023

1,000 Paper Cranes

Heritage Expeditions and our guests took part in the ancient Japanese tradition of origami paper crane folding as part of the world peace movement during our visits to Hiroshima this season.

While we fell short of the 1,000 paper cranes required to grant a wish, our handiwork is proudly displayed at the Hiroshima Peace Park's iconic Children's Peace Monument alongside 1,000s of brightly coloured paper cranes from around the world.

Now a symbol of peace, the tradition of folding paper cranes was inspired by 12-year old school girl Sadako Sasaki who, after contracting leukaemia in 1955 following the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima, believed that if she could complete folding 1,000 origami cranes she would be granted her wish to fully recover.

Unfortunately Sadako passed before completing her task, however her passion and determination inspired her classmates to fold the remaining 356 cranes to honour her memory creating an international movement which sees around 10 million paper cranes offered to the Children's Peace Monument each year.

After being displayed the paper cranes are recycled and made into thoughtful souvenirs so as to minimise environmental impact.

Image on file (c) by C.Finch