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It's a Tiny Little World Out There

Senbazuru Woo-Hoo Sally mentioned to me in a comment that maybe she should write about her family’s history. She’s Japanese on her Mom’s side. Well, I’m Japanese on my exchange student/daughter’s side. ;o) OK, so I can’t really count that. But I can talk about it so you can see just how small the world is, and how “nice” can make it even smaller.

My exchange student/daughter’s name is Anna, and her Mom, Kaori, and I have been penpals for about seven years now.

I have enjoyed learning about her life, her family and her home town of Chiba. I tell her about life here in West Virginia, and we marvel over differences and at the same time are not that surprised to find out how alike we are.

One day, Kaori told me her Dad had been diagnosed with cancer. She was folding senbazuru, or one thousand origami cranes, for him. I didn’t know what that was, so she explained.

There is a Japanese belief that if you fold 1,000 paper cranes, you will have a wish granted. In a case like this, when someone you love is ill, you fold 1,000 paper cranes and wish for them to be well.

I think this is the most beautiful custom I have ever heard of, anywhere in the world. To me, these cranes are visible prayers.

Being a naïve American, I asked if I could help fold cranes for her Dad. I didn’t know if this would be in poor taste, but Kaori was happy to have help. I bought the paper and learned to make the cranes, and with each fold line I prayed that he would be well again. I wore holes in both my thumbnails with all the folding.

When her Dad learned that some American woman he’d never met folded cranes for him, well, I don’t think he knew what to think. He fought in a war against us. His opinion of Americans was not that great. Of course, I hadn’t even thought of that! For my whole life, our countries have been good friends.

Her Dad recovered. The cranes hung in their house and they would look at them often, a symbol of the prayers for his health. He and his wife would ask about me whenever they talked to Kaori. They began to think of me as family. They sent me kimonos, one from Kaori, one from her Mom (which she made to wear to her sister’s wedding, I am wearing it in the photo) and the one her Dad wore when he was presented as a baby at the shrine, kind of like a baptismal gown would be to us.

Kaori’s parents are studying English now. Her Dad went from thinking of us as enemies to feeling he had family he’d never met here. When his granddaughter came to live with us, it only strengthened our bond.

I have Japanese family now, too. You won’t know it by looking at me, but I do. It’s a very small world if you’re willing to reach out to people.

If you’ve been “networking” (playing!) on Active Rain, you didn’t need me to tell you this. I have friends all over the country now (and Hi, Canada!) because either I or they reached out. Send a little email or make a call, and surprise – the world just got a little smaller again.

P.S. Kaori and I have folded senbazuru two other times, for a friend of mine and for a child who was a friend-of-a-friend. In each case, the person has healed. No magic there, but a lot of answered prayers.

Posted by Sarah Cooper on 07/05/2007 01:32 PM

Comments (33)

senbazuru, origami cranes

33 Comments on It's a Tiny Little World Out There

JUL

2007

Yet another wonderful, heart-warming story, Sarah! When I was growing up (and no one I knew had heard of a PC yet), I had at least a dozen pen pals from different parts of the country & worldwide. I always looked forward to the mail arriving. I love e-mail, but it just doesn't have the same effect as a real letter that's handwritten.

I love that custom as well, this is the first time I've heard about it. There is a lot of good we can learn and implement from other cultures and philosophies.

you look great in the traditional gear.

I'm so glad to hear of Kaori's father's healing - both physically and spiritually. About 2 weeks ago at church, we walked in to see senbazuru hanging from the ceiling in the sanctuary. They had fans blowing so the cranes moved gently through the whole service. It was an amazing sight and we all felt lighter. Another great post!

Hi Sarah, what a great custom. I too, am glad that kaori's Dad is well. What a wonderful read.

Leanne - I love email! I used to write with a few of my penpals, but we switched to email. I like the instant gratification, pictures, videos, songs ... you can share just about anything.

Jason - I've never heard of anything nicer than this. When you fold cranes for someone, you spend a long time thinking just about them. Then they have these beautiful cranes to look at while they recover -- and they look happy, like party favors. You really have to care about someone to go to that much trouble. It's not just buying flowers. They're like prayers you can see.

Marcus - Thank you! Actually, I'm in a kimono and Yuki is in a yukata, which is the summer version, a little lighter and much more comfortable! (Kimonos are hard to wear, you can't bend!)

Chrissy - That must have been beautiful!! Did you take any pictures, by chance?

Dianne - Folding cranes is a great way to meditate, to have quiet time. And there's a wish granted at the end. Just so you know.

Sarah - didn't have my camera that day and when I went back, they had already been taken down and donated to a hospice house in the area.

Sarah, that is a wonderful tradition. Glad your friends father was healed. Amazing.

Sarah - You know I am a fan.... Everyday you seem to write something that inspires me. My other half, Al, his father is in the hospital... actually not doing to well... quite literally he just left her to drive up north to see him. I am thinking about these cranes now... Maybe I could do such a thing. Beautiful thought and lets see how nimble my fingers are ... thanks again for another great post.

Chrissy - Oh, what a shame! I bet they were beautiful. What a nice donation, too!

Missy - Healed in many ways. :o)

Desiree - The best instructions I've even seen are here. It would be BEAUTIFUL. Even if you don't get to 1,000, they are so festive looking, and when you tell someone the story, very heartwarming, too.

Thanks... My neice and I are going to work on them tonight.

Sarah, what a powerful story. I'm glad it has a happy ending. I've never heard of this tradition, thanks for the introduction to it!

Hi Sarah!- That is a very interesting custom, and thank you for sharing, as I have not heard of it before. It does sound like it is a soothing experience for not only the person doing the folding, but also for the person the cranes are being folded for. To know someone is doing this for you must be amazing, someone that loves you is taking (or has taken) their time from a busy life to pray for you.

"My" Little One (Sarah)...

Yup. The world just keeps getting smaller and smaller. I love that :)

I also really love the custom of working with your hands as you pray with your mind.

TLW...ROAR!

My goodness! You are so beautiful in the kimono...and no way I'd be able to compete on the picture part as all taken in Japan when I was small because they are all in black and white....ugh!

Great story Sarah. What a wonderful tradition that is and I can see where it would help. Our thoughts and prayers are very powerful.

BTW I really like your new picture and the picture of you in the kimono is very cute. Hey your my daughter I can say that:)

Dez - (May I call you Dez?) Can I see them when you're done? :o)

Lysa - I keep wanting to make some to hang in my office, just for a reminder. I should do that.

Allison - Folding them is like meditation. I think this is really good for everyone.

Mom - I think letting your mind go while your hands work is one of the best ways to concentrate.

Sally - I really liked wearing the kimono. We thought about wearing them to a Christmas party ... but they really aren't comfortable. It's nothing like wearing a robe!! They pad you thickly around the middle to make a very straight shape, totally the opposite of how American women like to see themselves!

Yeah, I found a new picture Dad likes!! LOL!! I figured it was a keeper when you didn't tell me to change it back. ;o)

Our thoughts and prayers are powerful, and I think this focuses them somehow, or helps you to keep the right thoughts in your mind.

Sarah, When I lived in England my roommate was a girl, Yoko, from Japan and I became familiar with some of their beautiful traditional customs. However, I had never heard of the one you mentioned here. It sounds so powerful. I can imagine a few friends getting together and doing that for a loved one and making their bond even stronger.

Sarah-I am sometimes sadden I do not know more about the japanese culture, its so beautiful. My husband knows more than me as he studied in college and has a geniune love for Japan. You are really such an incredible human being. I appreciate your beauty, your view on life and I love your posts. Just be glad that you didn't have to fit your feet in japanese shoes! thank you so so much for sharing......

What a beautiful story...thanks for sharing it with us. I have a wonderful friend I met on the internet MANY years ago (back in the late '90's)...who lives in Australia. She came to visit for 10 days in Dec 2000. And then she and her husband came again in 2004 and we all went on a cruise together. It's amazing how 'exchange students', penpals (I had one in England in high school, but have long ago lost contact with her) and internet friends have made the world a better place to live. I love the smallness of our world today compared to when I was in HS and communicated with my penpal via letters.

That really is a wonderful thing that you are doing, for both Kaori and her father, clearly it will come back to you in many way's. The idea of folding is spiritual I guess, I hope it works:0)

Take care,

Tom Weiss

Sarah, you can push my buttons! lol that's a good thing, by the way. You make me feel your stories. You're very good at that. The vision of you wearing holes in your thumbnails for someone around the world you'd never met...well, I'm at a loss for words...

JUL

2007

Mana - I think learning about another culture really keeps your mind sharp. The things I've learned all make sense, just a different kind of sense than I'm used to. The more I learn the more I grow.

Midori - Actually, I was wearing some of Yuki's shoes in that picture! I have small feet. :o) You should learn a little more about Japanese culture, it's beautiful. One book that might be interesting is Culture Shock Japan.

Mary - I love having penpals! But I'm having trouble keeping up anymore ...

Tom - Apparently it does! Thanks, Tom.

Maggie - LOL! Glad I can push your buttons! And I have very thin fingernails, wearing holes through them couldn't have been all that hard, but OUCH. Folding the cranes for someone I'd never met didn't feel strange at all. When Anna was flying over here to stay with us, she was asked at the airport where she was going. She said to stay with her Mom's penpal. They asked how long she'd known me, and they were very worried when she said we'd never met! They said, "Your Mom has never met these people, but she's sending you to stay with them?" Anna said right then, she suddenly worried for the first time, "What am I doing?" LOL! So what's a few cranes for someone you haven't met, if you're willing to share your daughter?

"My" Little One...

I am here to reciprocate...However I have already read this ...

So thank you for everything. Looking forward to doing some reading :)

TLW...ROAR!

No doubt about it... email provides all those things you mentioned, but I was being nostalgic, describing how I felt growing up pre-computer days. Also, there's nothing like receiving a real birthday or thank-you card vs. an e-card. Some things just mean more when you get them by snail mail and can hold them in your hands, see that the person took the time to hand write your name, scribble a message or drew a little cartoon. JMHO.

As an aside... why do so many of the words we have to enter below end with "berry"???

Sarah, that's an amazing custom that I haven't heard of. A thousand sounds like a lot of folding! I'll keep it in mind if a loved one gets sick. The kimono they gave you looked great!

Mom - Book is on the way! Enjoy! :o)

Leanne - I love getting good mail, too, but we realized after starting to talk online that there was no lag time. We had more conversations, more back and forth. We really got to know each other faster. It was interesting -- and very cool when you can send each other video clips!

Lizette - A thousand IS a lot of folding!! Thankfully Kaori and I have always folded together, so I only have to do 500. Only! That kimono is BEAUTIFUL. It is shot through with gold threads, and the colors are very rich. The picture just doesn't do it justice, nor do I.

Sarah, I guess I just need to join this group because I keep perusing through it and ran across this post and it just touched me in a way that I'll quickly explain. My father, well he is my step father, but might as well be my father because he is the one that has been there through thick and thin for me. He is so sick, Sarah, I can't even begin to describe all the problems he is having but you can probably figure it out with me saying he is a diabetic on at home dialysis and he has cancer and a host of medical problems that go along with both of these. My mother, who is by far a wonderful woman, I could almost say that she is like the Proverbial Woman mentioned in the bible, she is so unselfish, caring, giving without complaint, it amazes me because I have doubt in my ability to be like that. I may be selling myself short, but she handles so much with him, I feel just as bad for her as I do my father. The caregivers are always forgotten. Anyway, they are spiritual people and I am a believer in positive thoughts and well wishes, etc,. Although this may be a custom for her people, I thoroughly believe that my children would not only enjoy making something like this for him and that he would be so grateful, but it would be a way to "give" to him in a manner that cannot be bought, but made with their little hands and with the love from their hearts. Would she be offended if you shared with me how to do this or is that wrong of me to ask?

It was a touching post and shows clearly what is in your heart. Thank you.

Sondra, please make the cranes. Kaori would be so thrilled!!

OK, HERE are instructions for making the cranes. You will want paper, here's a link that has paper meant for folding 1,000 cranes. Once you have them all folded, you have to string them. Kaori strung them for her Dad's cranes, but the next times we made them I did it. She thought my way was different and pretty, "American". Well, I don't know any other way!

I used quilting thread because it's strong, and ran it through beeswax, which makes it stronger and helps it glide. (Any craft or sewing store will have that if you want, but you don't have to use it. It will be cheap.) Then I added beads at the bottom, just because I wanted to weight the strands and it was pretty. When you make the cranes, you'll see there's a hole at the bottom. If you push your needle through there and come straight up through the point of the back, it will hang straight. (Use a beading needle if you can, they're long and skinny and won't make a big hole.)

Then I tied them onto an embroidery hoop. It was the only big circle I could think of to hold them. I used a smaller circle in the middle as well, and connected them to a holder with strong beading wire, meant for jewelry. (I am quite crafty and have lots of odds and ends. Then I covered the outside of the hoop with beaded ribbon to hide the tied off string. (Matched to the beads at the bottom of the cranes.)

My prayers for you and your family.

JUL

2007

I learned about the cranes doing a history asignment with one of my kids many years ago. I read a rendition of this story and sat at the kitchen table with my son and cried. It was the saddest story ever:

Sadako and the Thousand Cranes

Sadako Sasaki memorial in Hiroshima, surrounded by paper cranes

One of the most famous origami designs is the Japanese crane. The crane is auspicious in Japanese culture. Japan has launched a satellite named tsuru (crane). Legend says that anyone who folds one thousand paper cranes will have their heart's desire come true. The origami crane (折鶴 orizuru in Japanese) has become a symbol of peace because of this legend, and because of a young Japanese girl named Sadako Sasaki. Sadako was exposed to the radiation of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima as an infant, and it took its inevitable toll on her health. She was then a hibakusha -- an atom bomb survivor. By the time she was twelve in 1955, she was dying of leukemia. Hearing the legend, she decided to fold 1,000 cranes so that she could live. However, when she saw that the other children in her ward were dying, she realized that she would not survive and wished instead for world peace and an end to suffering.

A popular version of the tale is that Sadako folded 644 cranes before she died; her classmates then continued folding cranes in honor of their friend. Sadako actually folded more than 1,300 cranes before her death. She was buried with a wreath of 1,000 cranes to honor her dream. While her effort could not extend her life, it moved her friends to make a granite statue of Sadako in the Hiroshima Peace Park: a young girl standing with her hand outstretched, a paper crane flying from her fingertips. Every year the statue is adorned with thousands of wreaths of a thousand origami cranes. A group of one thousand paper cranes is called senbazuru in Japanese.

The tale of Sadako has been dramatized in many books and movies. In one version, Sadako wrote a haiku that translates into English as:

I shall write peace upon your wings, and you shall fly around the world so that children will no longer have to die this way.

This is, of course, from wikipedia.

AUG

2007

crane Sarah- I know this is an old post, but I had to update you on our recent experience with the cranes. Our dear neighbor has been fighting cancer for a while and last month, after being hospitalized, was brought home for hospice care. After reading your post, my girls decided to make the cranes for him. After a week, they had made about 64. We decided there might not be enough time to make 1000, so they hung the ones they did make on a mobile and took it over. The cranes hung from the ceiling where he could see them dance in the air. I'm sad to say, our dear neighbor passed yesterday, thankfully in his sleep. The amazing thing was his wife told us the cranes were the one thing that really gave him peace and he enjoyed seeing them every day. I'm grateful to you for the inspiration, thank you.

AUG

2007

Chris and Sarah: I am late here too....I was in Hiroshima in December and the Sasaki and Children's Memorial is something that must be experienced. I have photos for anyone that would like them. Hiroshima itself is something you will never forget.

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