1000 Paper Cranes for Hiroshima

Sadako Sasaki and the 1000 paper cranes

Sadako Sasaki was 2 years old at the time of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on 6 August, 1945 at 8:15am. She survived and appeared unharmed, but was diagnosed with leukemia nine years later. In keeping with the Japanese saying that one who folds 1,000 paper cranes will be granted a wish, she kept folding cranes from her hospital bed until her passing on 25 October, 1955 at the age of 12. During her illness, Sadako is said to have shared thoughts on how she could make the world a more peaceful place. 
 
Inspired by her courage and determination, Sadako's classmates began a campaign to establish the Children's Peace Monument in memory of Sadako and all children who were victims of the atomic bombing. Sadako's story inspired an international peace movement, and today, Hiroshima receives around 10 million paper cranes each year from all around the world. The paper cranes are displayed at the Children's Peace Monument in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The monument is inscribed with the words, 'This is our cry, This is our prayer, Peace in the world.' 

Fold a paper crane for Hiroshima at Anzac Square Memorial Galleries

In the spirit of this movement, we are inviting you to visit Anzac Square Memorial Galleries anytime from now until Friday 13 September to fold paper cranes. You are also more than welcome to bring in a crane that you have folded at home to add to the collection. Once we have assembled 1000 cranes, they will be bundled together and sent to Hiroshima. Our paper cranes will be displayed at the Children’s Peace Monument in the Hiroshima Peace Park. 

Visit Anzac Square today (open 10-4 Sunday to Friday) to fold your crane and convey a message of peace to Hiroshima. You can find us at 285 Ann St, under the Shrine of Remembrance. There will be instructions and staff on hand in our Post World War II Gallery to help you fold your first crane, and we will also have the book ‘Sadako and the 1000 Paper Cranes’ by Eleanor Coerr on display. After your visit, see the progress of the project by following us on Facebook and Instagram. 

Origami books to challenge, inspire and boost your creativity with State Library of Queensland

If making cranes has inspired you to continue your folded paper journey, why not use these wonderful resources on origami from State Library of Queensland to keep your creative side flying high? Login with your State Library membership to request these books for loan. 

• Sakoda, James Minoru. Modern Origami. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1969. Print. https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma9911744702061  

• Origami Omnibus: Paper Folding for Everyone / Kunihiko Kasahara. Tokyo; Japan Publications, 1988. Print. https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma994784664702061  

• Harbin, Robert, and Kingsley Mitchell. Secrets of Origami: The Japanese Art of Paper Folding / Robert Harbin; Illustrated by the Author, Photographs by Kingsley Mitchell and Robert Harbin. Sydney: Angus and Robertson, 1971. Print. https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma9911734702061  

• Honda, Isao. How to Make Origami: The Japanese Art of Paper Folding. London: Museum Press, 1961. Print. https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma993065904702061  

• Randlett, Samuel. The Art of Origami: Paper Folding, Traditional and Modern / by Samuel Randlett; IIllustrations by Jean Randlett; Preface by Lillian Oppenheimer; Introduction by Edward Kallop. New York: Dutton, 1961. Print. https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma992710714702061  

• Kenneway, Eric. Complete Origami / Eric Kenneway.: Fontana Australia, 1988. Print. https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma993303364702061  

References

The Elders 2020, ‘The Story of Sadako Sasaki and the Hiroshima Peace Cranes’, theelders.org, 27 July 2020, viewed 1 December 2023, https://theelders.org/news/story-sadako-sasaki-and-hiroshima-peace-cranes  

Manhattan Project National Historical Park 2023, ‘The Story of Sadako Sasaki’, National Park Service,  2 August 2023, viewed 1 December 2023, https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/the-story-of-sadako-sasaki.htm  

The City of Hiroshima n.d., ‘Paper Cranes and Children's Peace Monument’, viewed 1 December 2023, https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/english/158105.html