Paper Cranes

As we left the Museum in Hiroshima, Masa gave each of us a personal gift from his family – a paper crane, made by his wife and daughter.

Bearing in mind the significance of the paper crane in Hiroshima, this was a sweet and very thoughtful gift.  The story of Sadako wasn’t familiar to us all but the sight of the large rainbow chains of cranes inspired several of us to make them ourselves.

Fortunately, the gift shop in the Hiroshima Museum sold packs of paper.  And though I have made paper cranes on many previous occasions, needless to say, I couldn’t immediately remember the folding steps.

I bought a little charm as a souvenir and remembered the time Tetsu taught Edward and I how to fold a crane.  It’s one of those things which Japanese students take with them, carrying a pack of paper when they travel and using the origami fold to chat and make international friends.

Sadly, the little instruction sheet in the pack of papers I bought wasn’t for a crane, though, but for a little folded bowl.  Though I’d had lessons not only from Tetsu, but also at Tokyo Airport, whilst waiting for a flight, too.  How many times do I need to be shown this thing?  What kind of a learner am I?

How on earth am I going to remember how to make a paper crane, especially when we don’t have any internet here in Japanese waters?

Hooray!  I was thrilled to discover that the little plastic bag containing the origami paper and phone charm also contained a separate sheet of instructions!  Thank goodness…

In no time at all, it came back to me.  Maybe I’m not such a poor learner after all and simply needed the aide memoire.  I’m not sure I’ll make a thousand though!  Nevertheless, they were a charming souvenir of a lovely day and a sweet little gift to leave with a note to a couple of people who made last evening very special for us, too.