Live long and well
This is an image of a fukusa or gift cover made in Japan around 1840 that is now at the V&A museum. This fukusa was presented to an Englishman, William Rogers, at the Emperor's Palace in Japan in 1874.
Traditionally in Japan, gifts were placed in a box on a tray, over which a fukusa was draped. The choice of a fukusa appropriate to the occasion was an important part of the gift-giving ritual. The richness of the decoration was an indication of the donor’s wealth, and the quality of the design evidence of his or her taste and sensibility. This satin fukusa is embroidered in silk and metallic threads with an image of cranes.
The flock of cranes decorating this gift cover conveys wishes for long life and happiness. The lavish design suggests a wealthy donor. It is executed almost totally in gold-wrapped thread, which is attached to the surface of the fabric with barely visible red stitches. It is truly a work of beauty. (I’ve just ordered a personalised notebook with a copy of this fukusa as a cover from Papier).
1,000 paper cranes
The paper crane became a symbol of hope and peace through the story of a little Japanese girl. Sadako Sasaki was exposed to radiation as an infant when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima during World War II. Although she survived the bomb, she was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 12. Some say she decided to fold 1,000 cranes, hoping that her wish to live would come true, but sadly, Sadako never reached her goal, and later passed that year. She was buried with a wreath of 1,000 paper cranes, and she became a symbol of hope and peace.
At the Hiroshima Peace Park, where a statue of her holding a giant crane called the Children’s Peace Monument, Sadako is forever memorialized. Her story of hope spread throughout the world, and her paper cranes became known as a symbol of peace. These paper cranes bring hope to the world as every year, children from around the world will fold cranes and send them to Hiroshima where they are placed around a statue of Sadako. There’s an inspiring children’s book written about her.
In Japan, it is common to offer paper crane garlands (senbazuru) to the suffering people to help them heal.
I’ve spent a long time folding paper cranes. They are all over my house.
In this beautiful and inspiring book, renowned mindfulness and meditation teacher Michael James Wong shares a personal collection of short stories and teachings, accompanied by traditional hand-painted proverbs and prayers. Together these bring to life gentle wisdoms and universal truths to guide a meaningful way of living.
Shared throughout the book in twelve straightforward steps is also the art of folding paper cranes, a journey that will encourage you to slow down. If you want to fold 1,000 you can buy this kit with instructions.
Not one, but two podcasts
I’m about to record another meditation podcast here only on substack. If you would like this dropping into your inbox then do upgrade to a paid subscription. My last meditation podcast had nearly 200 downloads.
AND I've launched a separate podcast on Spotify. It will probably be a monthly offering, or as and when the whim takes me to communicate something. I’d love your feedback.
Gratitude
Thanks for reading. Writing Wabi Sabi Life takes time. If you want to support my work you could support me on Ko-fi or become a paid subscriber.