Have you ever wondered why you see thousands of colorful paper cranes in Hiroshima?
These little cranes, called orizuru (折鶴) in Japanese, are much more than a simple piece of origami. In Hiroshima, they have become a symbol of peace, hope, and remembrance.
At the heart of this story is the Children’s Peace Monument, built in memory of the children who lost their lives because of the atomic bombing.
But why a paper crane? And how did orizuru become such an important symbol in Hiroshima?
Let’s take a closer look at the story behind the cranes and the monument.
Hiroshima
In August 1945, during World War II, the United States dropped the world’s first atomic bomb used in warfare on Hiroshima.
The bomb was dropped at 8:15 a.m. on August 6, 1945. Hiroshima City estimates that about 140,000 people had died by the end of that year, although the exact number is still unknown.
But the suffering did not end that day. Many people who survived the bombing were exposed to radiation and continued to suffer from its effects for years afterward. The consequences of the bombing have continued to affect survivors and their families.
Today, Hiroshima is known not only for its tragic history, but also as a city that continues to share a message of peace.
Hiroshima is quite a distance from Tokyo and Osaka, so even some Japanese people have never been there. I’m actually one of them.
That’s one reason I wanted to learn more about Hiroshima and the story of the paper cranes connected to it.
Orizuru 折鶴
Origami is a traditional Japanese art of folding paper into different shapes and designs. Japanese children often make origami at school or at home, and the crane is one of the most well-known shapes.
A paper crane is called orizuru (折鶴) in Japanese. In Japan, cranes have long been associated with longevity and good fortune. Because of this, people sometimes fold cranes as a wish for someone’s health, recovery from illness, or happiness.
You may have also heard of senbazuru (千羽鶴) — a group of 1,000 folded paper cranes. People make senbazuru to express wishes for healing, good health, or peace. In Hiroshima, the thousand paper cranes have taken on an especially powerful meaning and have become a symbol of peace and a wish for a world without nuclear weapons.
Sadako Sasaki
The Children’s Peace Monument stands in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. It was built to commemorate Sadako Sasaki and all the children who lost their lives as a result of the atomic bombing.
Sadako was just two years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. Although she survived the bombing and grew up as a healthy child, she was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 12, almost ten years later.
While she was in the hospital, Sadako began folding paper cranes, hoping to recover from her illness. She used whatever paper she could find, including paper from medicine packages.
Sadako died in 1955 at the age of 12.
After her death, her classmates and other children began a campaign to build a monument in memory of Sadako and the many children who died because of the atomic bombing. Donations came from children and people across Japan, and the Children’s Peace Monument was completed in 1958.
Today, the monument is surrounded by colorful paper cranes sent from Japan and many other countries. People continue to send senbazuru to Hiroshima as a way of expressing their wishes for peace and remembrance.
From Japanese School Trips to Hiroshima
Japanese elementary and middle school students learn about Hiroshima and World War II at school. For many students, visiting Hiroshima is also an important part of their school trip.
At my daughter’s elementary school in Osaka, students visit Hiroshima in sixth grade as part of their school trip. Before the trip, the students at her school fold paper cranes together and make senbazuru — 1,000 origami cranes.
The sixth graders then bring the cranes to Hiroshima and offer them at the Children’s Peace Monument. They also sing a song called “Orizuru” around the monument.
So, for many Japanese children, making orizuru is not just an origami activity. It is also a way to learn about peace and remember the children who lost their lives because of the atomic bombing.
Orizuru Is More Than a Paper Crane
As I mentioned above, orizuru has a special meaning in Japan. But the crane itself is also a beautiful and familiar symbol in Japanese culture.
My daughter recently came home from her school trip to Hiroshima with a beautiful orizuru magnet for me. It made me realize how these little paper cranes can carry a story with them, even when they become a simple souvenir.
You can also find orizuru-inspired accessories, such as these beautiful crane earrings.
If you like Japanese-inspired accessories, you can also find beautiful jewelry featuring the crane motif.
Summary
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is not a place to visit simply to take beautiful photos for Instagram. It is a place to learn about history, remember the people who lost their lives, and think about how precious peace and everyday life are.
The story of Sadako Sasaki and the thousands of orizuru around the Children’s Peace Monument are reminders of that message.
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