Introduction
On August 6 when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, young Sadako Sasaki whose home was only 1.7 kilometer from the epicenter fell victim to the effects of radiation exposure. Her health had remained good until the sports day event she attended in autumn as an elementary school sixth-grade student. Soon after, she started to complain about feeling not well and was diagnosed with subacute lymphatic leukemia and hospitalized.
Wishing for Sadako’s recovery from illness, high school students from Nagoya sent her origami cranes “Orizuru.” Convinced that if she folded 1,000 paper cranes she would recover from her illness, she continued to fold paper cranes day after day until she succumbed to the effects of radiation exposure in the autumn of her first year of junior high school.
In the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, there is a statue called Children’s Peace Monument, which is modeled on the likeness of Sadako. Surrounding the Monument are Orizuru offered by people from all over the world who pray for peace. The number of cranes that surround the monument can reach 10 million a year.
Although many cranes are offered as a gesture of peace around the Monument, the actual space to hang them is limited.
Universal Post, a company established in Hiroshima City, has recycled Orizuru cranes into paper clay for the purpose of transforming older Orizuru cranes and making them an eternal part of people’s hearts. We gave the name “Tsuruhime” (Tsuru meaning crane and Hime meaning princess) to the paper clay recycled from the Orizuru prayers for peace. We hope more people enjoy using Tsuruhime while thinking about and praying for peace.
Back Story
The City of Hiroshima has promoted “Activities to Transform the Wishes Embodied in Orizuru.”
These activities are conducted based on the fundamental principle of sharing the wishes embodied in Orizuru and conveying them as new “wishes.”
Universal Post Inc. as a corporate citizen agreed to support these transformation activities and developed the local initiative of “paper clay recycled from Orizuru prayers for peace, Tsuruhime” for the purpose of recycling them into objects that can widely convey the wishes embodied in Orizuru paper cranes.
Features of Tsuruhime
・One-third the ordinary weight of paper clay
・Pulp fiber used as raw material is 100% recycled pulp (Orizuru)
Product Specifications
Raw Materials: Acrylic resin hollow body, pulp (Orizuru), synthetic paste, water-retaining material, water, antiseptic and antifungal agent
Net Weight: 30 g
Country of Origin: Japan
How to Make
①Separate
Separate Orizuru from thread and attachments.
②Mix
Mix raw clay materials and Orizuru with a mixer.
③Knead
Add additional water and knead.
④Mold
Remove excessive air and mold it.
⑤Wrap
Cut on the packaging line and packed.
⑥Finish
Vacuumized and labeled to finish.
How to Use
Ultralight-type paper clay Tsuruhime, which can be easily and freely used and enjoyed whenever you like, is popular for its handiness.
This product can be used for individual or group activities, or by local communities or families as an ideal tool for communication and exchange.
Tsuruhime is popular among young children and the elderly as a craft material that allows them to truly enjoy creating things with their hands.
Please use this product for events or as promotional novelty goods (as part of CSR activities), and as an aid for learning about peace.
If your company is interested in using Tsuruhime for promotional events, distribution of novelty goods, or CSR activities, feel free to contact us.
We would like to introduce you to past examples and offer proposals tailored to your budget or event.
How to Enjoy
Make a dinosaur or your favorite sweets as a craft assignment for summer vacation. You can also enjoy making your favorite animation characters.
For Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, make a portrait of your mother or father as a present.
How about making Santa Claus for Christmas, dolls for Girls’ Day, or seasonal items with friends?
By rolling the clay into a thin sheet and folding it like origami, you can make and fly a paper airplane.
Event Information: CSR activities Craft Workshop
Information about the Craft Workshop is provided on Facebook. Why not join an event held near your home?
Q：What is the country of origin of Tsuruhime? Is it safe?
A：This is a safe made-in-Japan product. The necessary amount of synthetic chemicals is kept to the minimum extent only so that the effect is fully exhibited. The product is safe but it is not food, so take extra care not to allow small children to put it into their mouths or lick it.
Q：As a guide, what is making time?
A：An approximate making time is 10 to 20 minutes for a 30-gram amount of paper clay of Tsuruhime. The product becomes dry and hard after 30 minutes. Add some water, knead and use it.
Q：I want to make something larger than a 30-gram amount.
A：Add water to two or more blocks of Tsuruhime cray and knead to make a larger clump, then use it.
Q：How should I store the remaining Tsuruhime?
A：Seal it with cling wrap or a plastic bag to prevent it from drying and use soon.
Q：Is there anything else to prepare for playing with the clay?
A：There is nothing particular that is required, but water to be used when the clay has dried, a clay spatula, disposable chopsticks, toothpicks (please handle them carefully) and mold cutters are useful.
Q：Can the clay be colored?
A：The clay can be colored with an (oil-based, water-based) marker pen or paint (watercolors, acrylic paint, etc.).
Q：Is it better to apply a varnish?
A：There is no particular reason to apply a varnish but if that is your preference, it is OK to do so.
Q：How should hardened paper clay be handled?
A：If it seems like there is moisture still remaining, add some water a little at a time and knead it. If it is too hard and will not soften, use it as a base or core.
Q：Some parts have been attached, but they have separated after drying. How can they be attached again?
A：If the work has already dried, attach them with glue such as a bond.
Q：Is it difficult to wash paper clay off hands?
A：You can easily wash it off with water.
Gallery
The following are some scenes and works crated at events. It is so easy to become thoroughly absorbed!
Cautions for Safe Use: To parents and teachers
● The product is safe but it is not food, so take extra care not to allow small children to put it into their mouths or lick it.
● Seal paper clay remaining during or after use with cling wrap or a plastic bag to prevent it from drying and use it as soon as possible.
● Avoid direct sunlight even after opening the package, and do not keep the product near sources of heat.
― CSR Activities by Universal Post ―
Universal Post Inc. agrees to support Hiroshima City’s “Activities to Transform the Wishes Embodied in Orizuru Paper Cranes” and will, as a good corporate citizen, continue to provide cooperation through our corporate activities.
