How to String Origami Cranes for a Senbazuru

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Learn how to fold, string, and hang 1,000 paper cranes
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Senbazuru comes from an ancient Japanese legend that says a wish will be granted to anyone who folds 1,000 paper cranes. Today, in addition to adorning shrines, senbazuru are gifted at weddings, births, or other celebrations. We talked to origamist and contemporary artist Coco Sato to find out how to make your own Senbazuru to give as a gift or to decorate your home.

How do you assemble a senbazuru?

Origamist Coco Sato says, “Senbazuru is a tradition where people fold 1,000 paper cranes.” It’s said that this will cause your wish to come true. The cranes are strung together on threads, with each crane on top of the next. People often combine 20 strands of 50 cranes each into a bundle.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Fold Paper Cranes

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Assemble a Senbazuru
    If your paper is one-sided, begin with the colored side of the paper facing upwards. Bring the bottom left corner up to the upper right corner. The paper should now form a triangle. Crease the paper, then reopen it. Fold the paper again from the bottom right corner up to the upper left corner, then crease and reopen again. [1]
    • Sato says, “When you’re folding origami, use your fingertip or fingernail to go over the folds to get sharp creases. You can also use tools like a ruler, the non-sharp edge of a butter knife, or a bone folder from a stationery or craft shop.” [2]

    Meet the wikiHow Expert

    Coco Sato is an origamist and award-winning contemporary artist based in Brighton, UK.

  2. Watermark wikiHow to Assemble a Senbazuru
    Turn the paper over and fold it in half from top to bottom. The paper should be in the shape of a rectangle. Crease it, then unfold the paper and fold it again from left to right. [3]
    • The creases in the paper should form an asterisk shape.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Assemble a Senbazuru
    Bring the left and right corners together and fold the top point down to the bottom. This will bring all four corners of the paper together, creating a small, flat, diamond shape. [4]
    • The paper will naturally fold along the creases you made.
    • Turn the diamond so the open end—where all 4 corners of the paper come together—is closest to you and the crease running through the center of the diamond goes straight up and down.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Assemble a Senbazuru
    Pick up the top layer on the right-hand corner of the diamond. Fold it straight in toward the vertical crease, then repeat with the top layer of the left-side corner. The top layers should form a kite shape, and the bottom will still look like a diamond. Flip the whole piece over and repeat those same folds on the bottom layer. The paper should now be a flat kite shape. [5]
    • Fold the small top triangle down over the rest of the kite shape and crease it, then unfold it. The paper will be back to a kite shape, but the crease from folding the triangles will act as a guide for the next step.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Assemble a Senbazuru
    Flatten each of the 4 folds you just made so that the paper returns to a diamond shape. Lift the top flap of the bottom corner, then push the left and right sides inward so they fold along the creases you just made. Press the folds flat so they make a long, narrow diamond with a seam running from the top to the bottom. [6]
    • Flip the paper over and repeat with the left and right corners on the bottom layer.
    • You’ll now have a long, narrow diamond. Turn the paper so the solid half of the diamond is pointing away from you and the half with a vertical split (like two legs) is facing toward you. [7]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Assemble a Senbazuru
    These folds are similar to the ones you made to create the kite shape. Pick up the top layer of the right corner and fold it in toward the center line, then repeat with the top layer of the bottom corner. Then, flip the paper over and repeat with the right and left corners on the bottom layer. [8]
    • The paper should resemble a narrow ice cream cone, with a vertical split in the bottom section.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Assemble a Senbazuru
    Slide your fingers between the layers on the left and right corners. Bring the top left and right corners together. Carefully line up the edges and pinch them to smooth any creases. Then, bring the bottom left and right corners together, and flatten these as well. [9]
    • The paper will resemble a fox, with a long pointed nose and two pointed ears.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Assemble a Senbazuru
    Take the top layer of the bottom corner and fold it up toward the top of the paper. Flatten the crease, then flip the paper over and do the same with the bottom corner on the other side. Then, bring the top two corners and bottom two corners together again, just like you did before to make the fox shape. [10]
    • Bend the triangles on the top and layer down towards you—you don’t have to crease them unless you want to. These are the wings of the crane.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Assemble a Senbazuru
    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—this is the crane’s neck. Repeat with the right point to create the crane’s tail. [11]
    • Take the edge of the left point and bend it forward. Crease it sharply. This will form the crane’s head.
    • Slightly widen the creases on the bottom of the crane’s neck and tail if you want the crane to stand on its own.
  10. Work a little at a time, and be patient. Creating a Senbazuru is a labor of love that can take several weeks or even months to complete.
    • Some people recommend focusing on your intention or wish every time you fold a crane.
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Section 2 of 5:

Stringing the Paper Cranes

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  1. 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. [12]
    • For 40 cranes per strand (25 strands), use around 1 m (3.3 ft) of string per strand.
    • For 20 cranes per strand (50 strands), use around 0.5 m (1.6 ft) of string per strand.
    • For 100 cranes per strand (10 strands), use around 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) of string per strand.
  2. Place the end of the string or wire through the eye of the needle so that at least 6 in (15 cm) is passing through the eye. You’ll use this extra string to hang the strand. [13]
    • If you are using string, it may be easier if you slightly dampen the end before threading the needle.
    • If your paper cranes are large, use a doll-making needle instead.
  3. 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 the bead is at the end of your string.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Assemble a Senbazuru
    Bring the needle through the center of the point on top of the crane’s body—this will keep the crane balanced on the string. Slide the crane down so it’s next to the bead. [14]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Assemble a Senbazuru
    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. [15]
    • Spacer beads are not necessary, but some people like using them to prevent the cranes from bunching.
    • Some people prefer to nest the cranes tightly together instead of spacing them out.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Assemble a Senbazuru
    If you are using 40 paper cranes per strand, you will repeat these steps 40 times until each crane is on the string. Once you finish a strand, place it neatly out of the way so the paper cranes won’t be damaged, then continue with the next one until you have 1,000 cranes threaded.
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Section 3 of 5:

Assembling the Senbazuru

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Assemble a Senbazuru
    When you have strung all the cranes on each strand, add a bead or charm to the top. This will finish the strand and keep the cranes from sliding around.
    • 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.
    • Some people like to put several beads at the top of a strand for decoration.
  2. Leave a minimum of 6 in (15 cm) of string at the top of your strand to hang it. If there is more than this, use scissors 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.
  3. Create a circle with the excess string on the top of each strand. Tie the end of the string in a secure knot just above the beads that finished the strand. [17]
    • Hang the strand from a hook, nail, chair, or doorknob to keep it neat.
  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, 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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Section 4 of 5:

What is a senbazuru?

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  1. Senbazuru means “one thousand cranes.” Sato says, “Senbazuru is a tradition where people fold 1,000 paper cranes as a form of prayer for good luck or health. Traditionally, a person folds the cranes themselves, hoping to bring about good fortune or recovery, either for themselves or someone else.” [18]
Section 5 of 5:

When did senbazuru originate?

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  1. Senzaburu likely originated in Japan’s Edo period (1603–1868). The first known instructions for creating a Senzaburu are found in a book from 1797 called Hiden Senbazuru Orikata , or The Secret to Folding a Thousand Cranes . However, the practice is thought to date back much further. [21]
    • The practice became widespread thanks to a young girl named Sadako Sasaki. Sadako lived in Hiroshima when the bomb was dropped in 1945. She survived, but was later diagnosed with cancer, likely caused by exposure to radiation from the bomb. Sadako set out to fold 1,000 cranes so her wish of recovery would come true.
    • According to one version of the story, Sadako completed all 1,000 cranes before her death. Another popular version says that she only completed 644 cranes before passing away, and her friends and classmates came together to complete the remaining cranes.
    • Today, a statue of Sadako holding a paper crane stands in Hiroshima Peace Park. People often bring Senbazurus to the park as an offering of peace and hope.
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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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      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://youtu.be/KfnyopxdJXQ?t=78
      2. ↑ Coco Sato. Origamist and Contemporary Artist. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/KfnyopxdJXQ?t=105
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/KfnyopxdJXQ?t=147
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/KfnyopxdJXQ?t=180
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/KfnyopxdJXQ?t=242
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/KfnyopxdJXQ?t=346
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/KfnyopxdJXQ?t=354
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/KfnyopxdJXQ?t=385
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/KfnyopxdJXQ?t=405
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/KfnyopxdJXQ?t=432
      3. ↑ http://www.boho-weddings.com/2012/04/03/diy-tutorial-1000-paper-cranes-backdrop-by-boho-bride-laura/
      4. ↑ https://sew4home.com/tips-resources/sewing-tips-tricks/hand-sewing-thread-needle-tie-knot
      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/
      9. ↑ Coco Sato. Origamist and Contemporary Artist. Expert Interview
      10. ↑ Coco Sato. Origamist and Contemporary Artist. Expert Interview
      11. ↑ Coco Sato. Origamist and Contemporary Artist. Expert Interview
      12. ↑ https://www.japan-experience.com/plan-your-trip/to-know/understanding-japan/senbazuru-one-thousand-cranes

      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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