A thousand paper cranes and thoughts for Japan

Last week we went my best friend's wedding. It was a lovely laid-back affair. She and her husband had been together 10 years and when they decided to get married they went from newly engaged to a wedding in just three months, skipping much of the traditional stress along the way.

When they first got engaged her soon-to-be in-laws suggested making 1000 paper cranes for the wedding. Apparently it's a Japanese tradition that if you fold 1000 or are given a thousand paper cranes you'll get your heart's desire. It is also said that it brings happiness and world peace. Certainly worth a small amount of effort, and a lovely thought for a wedding.

At first no one really expected to get to 1000. It was a nice idea, but more a way to decorate the venue than anything else. The husband and I decided to join in to help out and I bought enough paper to make 175.
But the morning before the wedding my friend's soon to be mother-in-law counted up. We had 1300 paper cranes. And on the day of the wedding they brightened up every room with their different jewel-like colours, strung on garlands, perched on tables, even serving as sort of wedding favours as people took them away at the end of the night. It was a charming idea and I hope it brings them a happy marriage and world peace - it couldn't happen to a nicer couple.

The husband and I sat down to make our share of the cranes together on the sofa in front of the television the week before the wedding. When we decided to help out we never imagined that we would be sat trying our inexperienced hands at the ancient Japanese art of origami while watching pictures of parts of Japan laid waste by earthquakes, tsunami and the threat of radiation.

We clearly weren't the only ones deeply affected by the pictures, nor the only people who were reminded of the tradition and wished the people of Japan could indeed get their most heartfelt wish. Someone out there has created a website with 1000 virtual paper cranes. Anyone can create one and send messages of hope. And if you want to give more practical help there are links to donate to the Red Cross. Click here to visit it.