How to Assemble a Senbazuru

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The senbazuru comes from an ancient Japanese legend that says a wish will be granted to anyone who folds 1000 paper cranes. Today, in addition to adorning shrines, senbazuru are gifted at weddings, births, or other celebrations. By folding 1000 cranes, stringing your paper cranes, and hanging them up, you can make your own senbazuru to give as a gift or to decorate your home.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Folding the Cranes

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  1. Think about how you want the completed senbazuru to look. Do you want large cranes or small? Do you want them all to be the same color or would you prefer to mix the shades of the cranes?
    • Traditionally the cranes are made from a square sheet of paper that is 7.5 centimetres (3.0 in) on each side. However, you can make the cranes as large or as small as you choose, if the paper is square in shape.
    • The cranes can all be the same color, multicolored, or you can use patterned paper.
  2. Grab the bottom left corner and fold it up to the upper right corner. The paper should now form a triangle. Crease the paper, and then reopen. [1]
    • As you make each fold, run your fingernail or a creasing tool, such as a bone folder, along the crease. This will make each fold sharp and crisp, giving a clean, professional finished shape.
    • Fold the bottom right corner up to the upper left corner. The paper should again form a triangle. Crease the paper and reopen it.
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  3. Bring the left side over to the ride side and crease. The paper should be in the shape of a rectangle. [2]
    • Fold the top of the paper down to the bottom edge. The paper should again form a rectangle. Crease and reopen. The creases in the paper should form an asterisk shape in the paper.
  4. Make sure the colored side is facing down. When you look at the paper, there should be four smaller diamonds created by the crease lines. [3]
    • Bring the top point down to the bottom, while folding the left and right corners into the center. This will bring all four corners of the paper together, and will create a small, flat, diamond shape.
    • The end of the diamond closest to you, where all four corners of the paper come together, should be open. It should also have two flaps on the right and two flaps on the lap. There should be a vertical crease down the middle of the diamond.
  5. Fold the layers to the vertical crease. Repeat with the top two left layers. The top two layers should now form a kite shape, while the bottom layers should still be in a diamond shape. [4]
    • Turn the paper over and fold the top two layers on the right towards the vertical crease. Repeat with the left layers. The paper should now be a flat kite shape. Take the top triangle (the top of the kite), fold it down, and crease. Open the top triangle back up, and then repeat on the reverse. The paper will be back to a kite shape, but the crease from folding the triangles will act as guides for the next step.
  6. Hold it so that the folds are facing you. Take the bottom flap and push it up; crease on the top of the diamond, using the last completed fold as a guide. [5]
    • Fold the sides inwards, using the existing creases as guides. Then push the top down and crease. The top layers should now be in the shape of a longer, narrow diamond. Flip the paper over and repeat.
    • The paper should now be a long, narrow diamond. There should a split in the middle of the lower half of the diamond; keep this split facing you.
  7. Crease sharply and turn the paper over and repeat. Then, take the top two flaps and pinch them together so that they meet at the fold in the center. Crease sharply and repeat with the lower two flaps. [6]
    • Turn the paper over and repeat on the other side. The paper should resemble a narrow ice cream cone, with a split in the bottom section.
  8. Turn the paper over and repeat. All four points should be even, and they should point away from you. [7]
  9. Crease, and then flip the paper over and repeat. Flatten and crease the paper. [8]
    • Take the triangle on the top layer and fold it down towards you. Turn the paper over and repeat; these folds will create the wings of the crane.
  10. Hold the paper under the wings and pull the left point until it is lined up with the edge of the body of the crane. Pinch it and refold it so it stays lined up with the edge. Repeat with the right point but pull it towards the right. [9]
    • Take the edge of the left point and bend it forward. Crease it sharply. This will form the head of the crane.
  11. This may take several weeks or even months to complete.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Stringing the Paper Cranes

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  1. Traditionally, there are 25 strands with 40 paper cranes each. You can divide the 1000 paper cranes any way that you wish, depending on how long you want each strand to be. With 40 cranes on a strand, use 1 metre (3.3 ft) of thread. If you are only putting 20 cranes per strand, use about 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) of string. If you want 10 strands of 100 cranes, you will need about 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) of string or wire. [10]
  2. Usually, each strand is about 1 metre (3.3 ft) long. The length depends on how much space you want between each crane. The more space you want to leave, the longer the length of string you will need to use. Also, remember to leave extra string so that you can hang the strand when it is completed. [11]
    • If you want a much longer strand that will hang almost to the floor, use 2 metres (6.6 ft) or more of the thread.
    • You can make each strand as small as you like, but keep in mind that any string shorter than 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) will not hold many cranes.
    • Line up 40 paper cranes (or the number of cranes you are using per strand) and measure the thread or wire against them. This way you will ensure that there is enough thread or wire to string all the cranes.
  3. Place the end of the string or wire through the eye of the needle so that at least 6 inches (15 cm) have passed through the eye. You will use this extra string to hang the strand. [12]
    • If you are using string, it may be easier if you slightly dampen the end before threading the needle.
  4. To prevent the bead from falling off the string, tie a loose knot at the end of the string that is furthest away from the needle. Then pull the needle and thread through the bead, until it is at the end of your string. [13]
  5. The crane is now on the string; simply slide it down so that it is next to the bead. [14]
  6. Pull the needle and thread (or wire) through the hole in the spacer bead. Then slide the spacer bead so that it is next to the crane. Spacer beads are not necessary, but many people find them helpful to prevent the cranes from bunching. [15]
  7. If you are using 40 paper cranes per strand, you will repeat these steps 40 times until each crane is on the string.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Finishing the Senbazuru

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  1. Leave a minimum of 6 inches (15 cm) of string to hang the strand. If there is more than this at the top of your strand, use the scissors or shears to trim the excess. [16]
    • If you want your senbazuru to hang longer, you can leave more string at the top. It depends on how long you want the finished product to be.
  2. When you have strung all the cranes on each strand, you will need to finish it. Add a bead or charm to the top.
    • Loop the thread through the bead, and then tie a knot above the bead. This will prevent the bead, and the cranes, from sliding off the end of the strand.
  3. Hang the strand from a hook, nail, chair, or doorknob to keep it neat. [17]
  4. This will keep all the strands together and make the senbazuru easier to display. Hang the craft ring, pole, or wire wherever you want to display the senbazuru.
    • If you prefer, you can hang each strand individually on the wall or place them in a frame.
    • If you are using the senbazuru as a wedding decoration, you can tie each strand to a pole or strong wire and then hang the wire or pole at the wedding venue. Many people also hang the senbazuru strands from a gazebo or the altar at weddings.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What does Senbazuru mean?
    Coco Sato
    Origamist and Contemporary Artist
    Coco Sato is an Origamist and Contemporary Artist based in Brighton, UK. She is an award-winning contemporary artist specializing in origami and geometric sculptures. With a multidisciplinary practice encompassing sculpture, performance, psychology, and geometry, she explores shifting perspectives through the intricate art of origami. Coco’s work bridges cultures by combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary concepts, inviting audiences to reconsider their relationship with the world.
    Coco Sato
    Origamist and Contemporary Artist
    Expert Answer
    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.
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  • Question
    Do I have to use thread for this project?
    Community Answer
    No, you can use fishing line or some other thin, but strong, string. Thread is recommended, however.
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  • Question
    Can I use metal wires?
    Community Answer
    Yes you can, but metal wires won't be pretty and this project is supposed to be a decoration.
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      Tips

      • Some libraries pool their resources when a student or teacher is in the hospital, with each member of the school folding one or two cranes and then taking the finished senbazuru to the hospital.
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      • Look up 'how to fold a paper crane' if you aren't sure of the steps.
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      • Be patient! The project won't be finished overnight, but it will pay off in the end.
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      Things You'll Need

      • 1,000 paper cranes
      • Sewing needle or doll making needle (if the cranes are large)
      • Scissors
      • Thread, wire, fishing line, or any similar product.
      • Small beads or charms
      • A small ring or similar object to hang the completed project

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about origami, check out our in-depth interview with Coco Sato .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfnyopxdJXQ
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfnyopxdJXQ
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfnyopxdJXQ
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfnyopxdJXQ
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfnyopxdJXQ
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfnyopxdJXQ
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfnyopxdJXQ
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfnyopxdJXQ
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfnyopxdJXQ
      1. ↑ https://www.kcpinternational.com/2015/04/senbazuru-thousand-origami-cranes/
      2. ↑ http://www.boho-weddings.com/2012/04/03/diy-tutorial-1000-paper-cranes-backdrop-by-boho-bride-laura/
      3. ↑ https://sew4home.com/tips-resources/sewing-tips-tricks/hand-sewing-thread-needle-tie-knot
      4. ↑ http://www.making-beaded-jewelry.com/how-to-string-beads.html
      5. ↑ https://www.hercampus.com/school/cmu/craft-blog-diy-origami-crane-wall-d-cor
      6. ↑ http://www.boho-weddings.com/2012/04/03/diy-tutorial-1000-paper-cranes-backdrop-by-boho-bride-laura/
      7. ↑ https://www.hercampus.com/school/cmu/craft-blog-diy-origami-crane-wall-d-cor
      8. ↑ http://www.boho-weddings.com/2012/04/03/diy-tutorial-1000-paper-cranes-backdrop-by-boho-bride-laura/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      A senbazuru is a traditional decoration for a Japanese shrine that's often given as a gift at weddings or births. To make your own senbazuru, start by folding 1,000 origami cranes out of paper. This part of the process can take a while, but you'll get faster at folding them as you go. When you’ve made the cranes, thread a needle and push it through the center of each crane’s body to attach it to the string. Make several strands of cranes, such as 10 strands of 100 cranes or 40 strands of 25. Add a bead to the string between each crane and a charm at the end of each strand. Finally, attach each strand to a craft ring or a pole to display your creation. For a step-by-step guide on how to fold a crane, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Natsuki17473

        Aug 3, 2018

        "I'm working on my Senbazuru now, I've gotten to 392 cranes. I hope it will pay off!"
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