According to ancient Japanese legends, anyone who manages to fold exactly 1,000 Origami Cranes will be granted a wish by the gods. This story was popularised from the sad tale of Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese girl who was diagnosed with leukaemia after being exposed to radiation from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Inspired by the ancient legend, she began making origami cranes with the goal of reaching 1000.  Unfortunately, Sadako didn’t recover, although her family say she exceeded her goal, having folded approximately 1,400 paper cranes.

Today, a statue of Sadako holding a crane can be seen in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Every year on Obon Day, people leave cranes at the statue to honour the spirits of their departed relatives.