One Thousand Paper CranesBy Mrs. Gorlewski’s

Art 1 Students

The origami crane is a symbol of hope and healing during challenging times. According to the Japanese legend, if one folded 1,000 cranes, one’s wish would come true. This display illustrates 1,000 origami cranes created by Mrs. Gorlewski’s Art 1 students. They set out to create the cranes together so they collectively could make one wish. Their wish is world peace.

Our Story: As their teacher, my main goal was to teach my Art 1 students how to fold a paper crane which would be included in a still-life drawing project. As we worked through this process, the students accomplished this and much more, revealing a story of events that to me is simply amazing. Through research, one student discovered the Japanese legend. So, this is what they did: Each Art 1 student created a crane chain to be a part of the 1,000 crane installation. Another student shared her reading of the book Sadako and One Thousand Paper Cranes, explaining how the story truly moved her. So, after completing the crane installation, the Art 1 students are now reading this book together, so they can better understand the meaning behind the Japanese legend.

Sadako’s Story: Sadako was a 2 year-old girl from Hiroshima, Japan when the atomic bomb “little boy” was dropped. After being diagnosed with leukemia from the radiation, Sadako's friend told her to

fold origami paper cranes in hope of making a thousand of them. She was inspired to do so by the Japanese legend that one who created a thousand origami cranes would be granted a wish. Her wish was simply to live. She met her goal, however she died on the morning of October 25, 1955.

In 1958, in honor of Sadako and the thousands of children who died in Hiroshima, a statue was created depicting a young girl holding a paper crane, which is now known as the Children’s Peace Monument. At the foot of the statue are the words: “This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace in the world.” This statue and Sadako’s story is meant to be a reminder to the world to never forget Pearl Harbor and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Figure 1: The Children's Peace Monument, Hiroshima, Japan.