What does the 1,000 cranes have to do with City Center Arts?
Our very own Marsha Irwin, artist member, has brought this amazing tradition to our hearts here at the gallery. She has been making cranes with the wish of world peace for years. City Center Arts embraces and supports her efforts for world peace. Marsha encourages all of us to make a free one and share them with others to share this story and this effort. She also donates proceeds of purchased cranes toward causes that promote world peace, environmental causes and many other local, national and international causes that create ease and peace for those in need.
2021 CITY CENTER ARTS’ ENDEAVOR TO CREATE 1,000 CRANES
With the wish of world peace, Marsha and City Center Arts wants to give recognition and honor to the frontline workers, essential workers and the many lives effected by corona virus. City Center Arts has hosted several shows since the pandemic hit the world in honor of frontline workers and essential workers, namely the Essential Workers Show during Labor Day of 2020 to remind people of those still working on a day meant for workers to rest; Heroes and Mentors show again giving a chance to honor all frontline workers, emergency responders and essential workers; Words In Action show giving focus to taking action for change and standing up for workers and the Art Explosion Show giving focus on humans’ experiences of corona virus including those in the work force fighting for all of our safety. These are the many people who put their needs aside to serve the greater good. Our wish for world peace could not be possible without them. They saved and served lives regardless of race, gender, creed, societal standing or political affiliation. They are the reason we are here to have a wish for world peace. They have been here since the beginning and are still here now and no doubt will be here in the future. They know what it means to have to work together and not against each other to get closer to world peace. Come join us in making a wish for world peace and help us get to a 1,000 cranes.
We want to be able to share our 1,000 peace cranes with the world on the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing that sparked a little girl’s wish for world peace. This is where the story of peace cranes begins and we hope to add beauty, remembrance, honor and awareness on this date.
We will be hosting workshops throughout the year. Workshops will be from 11am – 1pm on Saturday March 13th, 20th and 27th. Grab your mask and come join us.
Original origin of the 1,000 cranes
An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by the gods. Some stories believe you are granted happiness and eternal good luck, instead of just one wish, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. This makes them popular gifts for special friends and family.
The crane in Japan is one of the mystical or holy creatures (others include the dragon and the tortoise) and is said to live for a thousand years: That is why 1000 cranes are made, one for each year. In some stories it is believed that the 1000 cranes must be completed within one year and they must all be made by the person who is to make the wish at the end.
Revitalization of the 1,000 cranes after World War II
After being diagnosed with leukemia from radiation caused by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Sadako’s friend told her to fold origami paper cranes (orizuru) in hope of making a thousand of them. She was inspired to do so by the Japanese legend. Her wish was simply to live through her disease so she could fulfill her dreams Some say she managed to fold only 644 cranes before she succumb to the disease and her two friends completed the task, placing the finished cranes in her casket. However this is not backed up by her surviving family members. According to her family, and especially her older brother Masahiro Sasaki who speaks on his sister’s life at events, Sadako not only exceeded 644 cranes, she exceeded her goal of 1000 and died having folded approximately 1400 paper cranes. Masahiro Sasaki says in his book The Complete Story of Sadako Sasaki that she exceeded her goal. The Complete Story of Sadako Sasaki′′ co-written by Masahiro Sasaki (her brother) and Sue DiCicco, founder of the Peace Crane Project. Mr. Sasaki and the family have donated some of Sadako’s cranes at places of importance around the world: in NYC at the 9-11 memorial, at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, at The Truman Library & Museum on November 19, 2015, at Museum Of Tolerance on May 26, 2016, and the Japanese-American National Museum three days later. USS Arizona Crane Donation and President Truman Museum Donation helped by Mr. Clifton Truman Daniel who is the grandson of President Truman jr.
After her death, Sadako’s friends and schoolmates published a collection of letters in order to build a memorial to her and all of the children who had died from the effects of the atomic bomb. In 1999, a statue of Sadako holding a ruby crane was unveiled in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, also called the Genbaku Dome, and installed in the Hiroshima Peace Park.
At the foot of the statue is a plaque that reads: “This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace on Earth.” 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. A paper crane database has been established online for contributors to leave a message of peace and to keep a record of those who have donated cranes.
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