Hiroshima Part San ...

As we continued our emotional trek through the Peace Memorial Museum we came to the story of Sadako Sasaki. I remembered the name, but not the story and now that I know it, I will never forget it.
Here's her story:

"Exposed to the A-bomb at the age of 2, Sadako Sasaki contracted leukemia a decade later and died in 1955 at the age of 12. In the belief that folding 1,000 cranes would cure her disease, Sadako folded one after another during her hospitalization. After her death, classmates at Nobori-Cho Elementary School conducted prayer meetings to console the souls of children killed by the bombing and, wishing for an end to the war, started a movement to build a "Children's Peace Monument". The movement spread to elementary, junior high, and senior high schools around the country. The statue was complete in 1958.

As Sadako's story spread throughout the world, paper cranes have become an international symbol of peace. At the foot of the Children's Peace Monument lies a continually replenished pile of folded cranes sent from around the world."

"Sadako continued folding cranes even after reaching 1,000. From that time on, the cranes became smaller. Sometimes she used a needle to fold them. For Sadako, the number of cranes was less important than investing each one with the wish to live."

These cranes were SO tiny.

"Paper cranes folded by Sadako were distributed as keepsakes to those who attended her funeral. These cranes conveyed to all how much Sadako had wanted to live."


Outside the museum, just beyond the Peace Pond, we reached the Children's Peace Monument.

All of these cases are filled with cranes from all over the world.

There were literally hundreds of thousands of cranes.

They are strung together in strands of 100 and put in a bundle of 10 to make 1,000.

Some of the cranes were assembled to make these posters. They were pretty amazing.

American Style:
Japanese Style:
I was amazed by the amount of cranes and the messages and wishes for peace. So, in true Tara-style, I began my quest to fold 1,000 cranes. I've been doing this since December & haven't been doing so hot lately, but I have roughly 200 cranes. I'm going to keep working & then hopefully donate them to the Peace Park. Wish me luck. :)

If you're interested ...

Click here to read more about 1,000 Cranes

Click here to read more about Sadako Sasaki

Click here to read more about the Children's Peace Monument

Still not finished with Hiroshima ... Stay tuned.

much love & peace

-tara-
xoxo