1000 PAPER CRANES
Friday 18th March 2011
My book Cherry Crush is about a girl who is half-Japanese, and a Japanese theme runs all through the story. For me, as for all who love Japan and its culture, the recent earthquake, tsunami and threatened nuclear disaster has been shocking and scary.
I wanted to do something to help, and found myself thinking of the story of the 1000 Paper Cranes. In Japanese legend, anyone who makes 1000 paper cranes is granted a wish. In 1955, a Japanese girl, Sadako Sasaki, became ill with radiation sickness after the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Sadako planned to make 1000 paper cranes, but she had folded only 644 cranes when she died aged just 12. Her friends made the remaining paper cranes and buried them with her… one of the saddest yet most beautiful stories of friendship ever. In Japan, the paper crane is a powerful symbol of peace and hope.
What better way to send your support, good wishes and prayers to Japan? Find yourself a square of paper, click the link and make your own paper crane for Japan – then send in your pics through any of the website links. Tell your friends, family and teachers and spread the word. Together, we can make 1000 cranes… and show Japan that we care.
If you’re able to raise money for those made homeless by the disaster, you can donate to the Red Cross.
Look out for more ideas of how you can help on the Secret Page and in the April online newsletter… with comps to reward all your hard work. If you haven’t signed up for the free online newsletter, you can do it here – you’ll find a clue for the password to the Secret Page in the newsletter, too.
Get folding… and send your thoughts and prayers to Japan.
xxx
It’s so sad about the story of the girl who died and the Japan earthquake & tsunami. I really like Japan and the culture there. It’s such a shame I can’t fold very well 🙁 Oh, well I’ll just ask mum for help.
wow thats amazing i have already made 7, its such a horrible thing that has happened in Japan, my heart goes out to everyone that was affected !
I adore Cherry Crush, and can’t wait for the next book to come out !
Keep up the amazing work Cathy ! x
Hey Cathy,
Currently, at my school, the language department has decided to send a book of good wishes to our sister school in Japan. I and many other students have signed, wishing the best to Japan. I remember reading 1000 paper cranes in year 3 and we even attempted to make our own paper cranes! While mine wasn’t the best in the room, I will try again and see if this one will be a bit more of a success than the last!
Xoxo
I feel very sad about Japan but we can keep on praying for hope, and I am praying that more people will be saved.
i feel so sad for the Japanese girl … wish there there was medcine back in those days…
Its realy sad…. my dad works at Holdens and the Japanese have alot of influence
on carmaking. Volunteers go a long way in this world. I thank them.
Cathy I love Japanese culture as well!I draw and read manga, the style is amazing.When I found out about the tsunami I was upset that such a beautiful country got damaged.I think that people from all around the world should try and make 1000 cranes.Do you think you could set something up.Somewhere we could all post our paper cranes in with messages on them and give them to people who need them most Love grace
Grace, send your crane pics to me at [email protected] and I will make a page on the website of paper crane pics for Japan. Good luck!
Oh my gosh . . . It makes me feel so sad. When I read about that girl I just wanted to cry. Seriously. A NOTE TO PEOPLE IN JAPAN:
HANG IN THERE, GUYS, I’LL MAKE YOU 1000 CRANES. DON’T GIVE UP HOPE!!! Jazz x
Dear Cathy
Hi my name is shannon i was at morley town hall today and i do alto of day dreaming toy also signed my book today so thankyou you very much for that,I have dizzy pink gutair and lucky star that the one you signed so thankyou very much….