O-ri-ga-mi: the Japanese art of folding paper into decorative shapes, derived from the word ori, meaning ‘folding’; and kami, meaning ‘paper’.
1,000 Cranes
“You are never too old to adopt new traditions,” says Nicki Truman, resident at Palisades on the Glen Retirement Community in Mississauga. Nicki, along with a crafty group at the Palisades helped fold 1,000 origami cranes for the residence’s communal holiday tree and welcomed in the festive season with an inspiring ‘Peace Tree’ message.
Under the guidance of a fellow resident and origami expert, Kathleen Hong, nearly all of the ornaments folded by the group were done with one piece of paper and without the use of scissors or glue except for geometric shapes where two or more pieces are interlocked together.
Folding “awakens the child in all of us”
Born in Hong Kong, Kathleen volunteers her teaching skills at Palisades’ weekly art workshops, and delights in sharing a piece of her culture with her new community; keeping everyone at ease and entertained all year round. The task of folding is relaxing for the mind and body, and provides a gentle exercise in dexterity and mind-hand coordination. Keeping residents alert and at peace, Kathleen insists that folding “awakens the child is all of us.”
Inspired by the art of paper folding and the story of the ‘Peace Tree’, some seniors at Palisades have adopted this ancient Chinese tradition by mixing origami ornaments with traditional ones on their own Christmas trees this year.
History of the ‘Peace Tree’
On August 6th, 1945 the United States Air Force dropped the atom bomb on the city of Hiroshima in an attempt to end World War II; consequently destroying the entire city. A baby at the time, Sadako Sasaki was diagnosed with leukemia as a result of exposure to radiation from the bomb ten years later. Young Sadako was admitted to the hospital with many other radiation-damaged victims.
In order to encourage her not to give up hope, Sadako’s classmates urged her to fold 1,000 paper cranes. According to oriental tradition, the crane – a beautiful big white bird with black feathers at the tips of the wings and a red crown – would live to be a thousand years old. Anyone who folded 1,000 paper cranes would be granted a wish. Sadako’s wish was to get well.
In spite of her pain and suffering, Sadako kept folding paper cranes every day. Gradually, she toiled until she reached 644. At the age of twelve, she was too weak to continue and soon succumbed to her disease. Her classmates finished folding the 1,000 cranes for her.
A monument was erected in honour of Sadako Sasaki in the Peace Park in Hiroshima where the annual memorial for the victims of the atom bomb takes place. For this day, Origami folders throughout the world send strings of 1,000 cranes in memory of Sadako Sasaki which are placed at the foot of the monument along with the following inscription: THIS IS OUR CRY, THIS IS OUR PRAYER, PEACE IN THE WORLD.
About Kathy Barthel
