Sadako Paper Cranes Lesson

On Friday we had casual teacher, Ms Wilson, teaching the children as Mrs Cavanagh was away at a principals meeting. After recess she told the students the story (true) of a girl, Sadako Sasaki, who lived in Hiroshima, Japan, at the time of the atomic bombing by the United States. She developed leukaemia from the radiation and spent her time in a nursing home creating origami (folded 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 then be granted a wish. Her wish was simply to live. However, she managed to fold only 644 cranes before she became too weak to fold any more, and died shortly after. Her friends and family helped finish her dream by folding the rest of the cranes, which were buried with Sadako. They also built a statue of Sadako holding a giant golden origami crane in Hiroshima Peace Park.

Now every year on Obon Day, which is a holiday in Japan to remember the departed spirits of one’s ancestors, thousands of people leave paper cranes near the statue. On the statue is a plaque: “This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace on Earth.”

Ms Wilson had also brought in beautiful origami paper from Japan and taught the students how to fold a paper crane which was very difficult. Some students were then able to help other students and Cooper even managed to make a tiny paper crane which was even more difficult. As all casual teachers come prepared Ms Wilson just happened to have two kimonos in her car and dressed Danica and Taylah in them. The sash or obi was hard to tie and we had to watch some videos to understand the method. The girls looked beautiful in them and it was a very special lesson. Thanks Ms Wilson 🙂

One thought on “Sadako Paper Cranes Lesson


  1. I love origami because it is so hard to do but represents so much in the Japanese culture. I wish I was there to learn how to make the cranes. Thank you Ms Wilson for a wonderful, engaging lesson for the students.

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