Q&A for How to Assemble a Senbazuru

Senbazuru literally means "one thousand cranes" in Japanese. It's a tradition where people fold one thousand paper cranes as a way to pray or wish for good luck, health, or recovery. Crane is a special bird in Japan, and it's thought to bring good things, like long life and happiness. Usually, they fold all the cranes themselves while hoping to bring some good luck or help in healing someone who is sick. It can take a pretty long time, but care is taken in folding every crane with a wish attached to it. Sometimes it's not just one person folding the entire set of cranes. Instead, a group of close friends or classmates might gather to fold some cranes until they reach one thousand. It is therefore a team affair, where everyone helps and hopes for something good together.

No, you can use fishing line or some other thin, but strong, string. Thread is recommended, however.

Yes you can, but metal wires won't be pretty and this project is supposed to be a decoration.

You should tie the bead first to prevent the cranes from slipping off the end as you thread them. The other end will be tied to the craft frame, so it will not need a bead.

One thousand is considered a special number, but you can make this model with however many cranes you want.

You can use any kind of bead that's big enough to slip over the needle and thread.

Anything works, really. Go to your local craft shop and by some yarn, and just use a toothpick, pencil, or small screwdriver to make the hole to thread it through.

You can use fishing line or some other thin, but strong, string. However, thread is recommended.

You should be able to do this with any sized crane, as long as you're able to string the cranes with the needle and thread.

According to Japanese tradition, folding 1,000 paper cranes gives you a chance to make one special wish come true. In some variations of the tradition, you may be granted happiness and eternal good luck, instead of just one wish, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury.

You do not have to hang your cranes but if you want to, I would suggest stitching through the middle and tying them to a hook/curtain rod/door stopper (on the wall of course).