The Story ofThe Story of

Sadako SasakiSadako Sasaki

Sadako Sasaki was Sadako Sasaki was a little Japanese a little Japanese girl who lived in girl who lived in Hiroshima, Japan Hiroshima, Japan when the atomic when the atomic bomb was dropped bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.August 6, 1945.

She was an She was an active, athletic active, athletic little girl.little girl.

In 1954 at age In 1954 at age 11, she became 11, she became dizzy and fell to dizzy and fell to the ground….the ground….

At just 11, she was diagnosed with At just 11, she was diagnosed with Leukemia which at the time was Leukemia which at the time was known as the ‘atom bomb disease.’ known as the ‘atom bomb disease.’ She was then told that she did not She was then told that she did not have long to live…have long to live…

Sadako’s best friend told her an old Sadako’s best friend told her an old Japanese legend.Japanese legend.

The old Japanese legend believes The old Japanese legend believes that anyone who folds 1000 paper that anyone who folds 1000 paper cranes will be granted a wish by the cranes will be granted a wish by the Gods…..Gods…..

Cranes are a symbol ofCranes are a symbol of

Hope and Courage…Hope and Courage…

Sadako started folding, determined Sadako started folding, determined to create the 1000 paper cranes so to create the 1000 paper cranes so she could be granted her wish to she could be granted her wish to recover and therefore return to her recover and therefore return to her active life.active life.

Some versions of the tale of ‘Sadako Some versions of the tale of ‘Sadako Sasaki’ state that she made 500 Sasaki’ state that she made 500 paper cranes and she already began paper cranes and she already began to feel better so she then could be to feel better so she then could be sent home.sent home.

All sources do however state that All sources do however state that before dying peacefully in her sleep, before dying peacefully in her sleep, Sadako successfully constructed 644 Sadako successfully constructed 644 paper cranes.paper cranes.

Her friends decided that in her Her friends decided that in her honour they would finish creating the honour they would finish creating the 356 remaining paper cranes.356 remaining paper cranes.

She was then buried with the 1000 She was then buried with the 1000 paper cranes.paper cranes.

Sadako Sasaki’s story has made the Sadako Sasaki’s story has made the 1000 paper crane legend an 1000 paper crane legend an international symbol of PEACE.international symbol of PEACE.

There are There are numerous numerous memorials in memorials in Japan for the Japan for the children affected children affected by the Hiroshima by the Hiroshima disaster, as well disaster, as well as a statue of as a statue of Sadako.Sadako.

Everyday the Everyday the memorial is memorial is covered with covered with paper cranes paper cranes in the hope for in the hope for world Peace, world Peace, so that a so that a disaster such disaster such as this one will as this one will never prevail never prevail again.again.

Sadako Sasaki’s story is well Sadako Sasaki’s story is well known internationally and known internationally and continues to be an inspiration for continues to be an inspiration for all whom read it.all whom read it.

References:References:

• Wuest, R. (2001). The story of Sadako Sasaki and the thousand paper cranes. Retrieved 11 April, 2010, from http://www.gymnasium-spaichingen.de/bili/bili8-hi1.htm

ImagesImages

• 1. 1. www.bucyrus.k12.oh.us/japan/hiroshima.htmwww.bucyrus.k12.oh.us/japan/hiroshima.htm

• 2. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/30/article-1165768-2. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/30/article-1165768-04137FF1000005DC-335_468x406.jpg04137FF1000005DC-335_468x406.jpg

• 3. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-08-03-hiroshima-3. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-08-03-hiroshima-cranes_x.htmcranes_x.htm

• 4. www.foreverflying.com/origami.html4. www.foreverflying.com/origami.html

• 5. www.foreverflying.com/origami.html5. www.foreverflying.com/origami.html

• 6. http://www.thewesternisles.co.uk/Assets/Images/rarebirds/bird-6. http://www.thewesternisles.co.uk/Assets/Images/rarebirds/bird-sightings-common-crane-1a.jpgsightings-common-crane-1a.jpg

• 7. www.molon.de/.../Peace/img.php?pic=16&comm=add7. www.molon.de/.../Peace/img.php?pic=16&comm=add

• 8. www.molon.de/.../Peace/img.php?pic=16&comm=add8. www.molon.de/.../Peace/img.php?pic=16&comm=add

• 9. 9. www.foreverflying.com/origami.htmlwww.foreverflying.com/origami.html