1.
paper crane, origami crane
A crane made by folding paper using the traditional Japanese art of origami. One of the most iconic origami shapes, strongly associated with wishes for peace and recovery from illness.
折り鶴を折った。
I folded a paper crane.
千羽鶴を作るために折り鶴を折り続けた。
I kept folding paper cranes to make a thousand-crane chain.
入院中の友人に折り鶴を送って、回復を祈った。
I sent paper cranes to my friend in the hospital, praying for their recovery.
折り鶴 is one of the most recognized origami figures in Japanese culture. It is deeply connected to the tradition of folding 千羽鶴 (one thousand paper cranes), which are given as a prayer for recovery from illness or as a wish for peace.
CULTURAL NOTE: The tradition of 千羽鶴 became internationally known through the story of Sadako Sasaki, a girl who developed leukemia from the Hiroshima atomic bombing and folded paper cranes while hospitalized. 折り鶴 are now a symbol of peace at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 折り鶴を折る: to fold a paper crane
- 千羽鶴: a chain of one thousand paper cranes
- 折り鶴の折り方: how to fold a paper crane