I've just read this post and it sent me down memory lane.
I had an origami book when I was a kid. I didn't know back then that it was Japanese art. Maybe it was mentioned in the book, I'm not sure. It was a very basic book with simple models, but I loved it.
In one chapter that taught you how to make a crane, there was some kind of story or legend. I don't remember the details, but it was about folding one thousand paper cranes. I think you were supposed to give them to people as gifts. Anyway, I started folding cranes nonstop. I was folding them at home and during class, and I was leaving them everywhere: in classrooms, in the hallway, and sneaking them onto bookshelves. My mother, who was working as a teacher, was pretty annoyed, constantly finding those paper cranes on her desk. And I hope leaving them in the electric panel box wasn't a fire hazard. So my mother told me to just put all of them into a bag, which stayed in my closet for several years. I think it had around 400 paper cranes.
Later in life, I tried to pick up harder origami books but couldn't get into it; everything felt wrong. All the instructions used different symbols. So my passion for origami has passed. I can only remember a few models. The paper crane, obviously, is one of them. I can fold it blindfolded.
Even now, decades later, when I see square paper sheets for notes (for example at a reception desk), I take one and fold a paper crane. I don't look at it. I don't even think about it. And then I see it and think, "What am I supposed to do with it?" So I leave it wherever.
I think I'm way past one thousand cranes by now.
Headline image by danielalvasd on Unsplash
Thank you for reading my post and sharing your memories with us! Maybe some day you'll give it a try to hold a thousand cranes! Who knows. I think origami makes us feel calm just like meditation.
The crane is without a doubt the greatest example of single uncut square origami. It's called 不切正方形一枚折り（ふせつせいほうけい いちまいおり） in Japanese. I used to be really into origami myself, and my favorite model was Tsuru Seijin. I found its diagram at Gallery Origami House, and it usually took me about 30 minutes to fold one. I ended up making around 50 of them and placed them all over the place, just like you. Once I finish moving, I’ll give it another try.
I've recently gotten into origami. I find the crane has something about it. It's so simple, but still satisfying to look at.
On a separate note: @Akiko thanks for the link to Youtube. The channel has some designs I want to try :)
@Joseph It’s so simple, but still satisfying to look at. That’s exactly how I feel, but I couldn’t put it into words. Thanks for expressing it so well—I’ll remember your words!