The Morinville Community Library is spreading the message of peace that first began with a Japanese child who died sadly more than 60 years ago.
Sadako Sasaki was only two when Hiroshima met its tragic date in history. She lived through it, though a toll was taken on her body later as she later developed leukemia. Before the cancer could claim her life, she heard of the legend of one thousand paper cranes. Senbazuru, as it is called in Japanese legend, offers a wish to be granted to whomever creates it.
Stories vary as to whether the child was ultimately able to complete the task. One telling explains that she couldn’t complete the project so her classmates finished it in her memory. They then fund-raised to create the Children’s Peace Monument in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
The tale of Sadako Sasaki has inspired a legacy of awareness both about leukemia and for children affected by war. The young girl’s wish was for healing and peace.
Librarian assistant Amy Maxwell picked up on the idea to do her own Senbazuru after hosting an origami night during a recent meeting of the library’s relatively new animanga group.
“It really jumped from something to do with the animanga program to bringing the community together to make Senbazuru.”
The group, which focuses on the graphic novel and film arts of anime and manga, is also known to appreciate Japanese culture in general. Maxwell encourages people to learn more about Sadako through Eleanor Coerr’s book, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.
She hopes to get a wide participation from the public, even from people who don’t normally practice the traditional art of folding paper. Each crane needs only to be a few inches tall and should not take very long to make.
“When I was learning, it was definitely a couple of minutes. Once you get good at it, I’d say 20 to 30 seconds,” she said.
Starting November 1, the library will set up a station for people to fold their own cranes, complete with paper and instructions. It will also be accepting paper cranes mailed or dropped off until December 31. Monetary donations for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada will also be collected at the library until the end of the year.
"By creating the Senbazuru and sharing Sadako’s story, we will bring the community together to raise awareness and support a worthwhile cause," Maxwell said.
The completed Senbazuru will be put on display at the library in the new year and will hopefully be sent to a museum or hospital afterward. For more information, visit www.morinvillelibrary.ca.
