Sarus Crane

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Artwork inspired by Japanese Sumi-e inks. Though not native to Japan, the Sarus Crane (Antigone antigone) holds cultural and symbolic significance in Japan, and is admired for its beauty, grace, and majestic appearance. It is often seen as a symbol of longevity, good fortune, and fidelity, largely because of its monogamous nature and the long lifespan. They are often associated with wishes for a long, prosperous life, especially due to the belief that folding 1,000 origami cranes can grant a wish or bring healing, as popularized by the story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who folded cranes while battling leukemia due to radiation exposure from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

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