在ヒューストン日本国総領事館

Ladies and Gentlemen: Good Afternoon. Thank you for inviting me here today.

Today we celebrate the ancient Japanese legend of the Senbazuru or thousand paper cranes. The legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. In Japan the crane is one of the mystical animals and is said to live for a thousand years.

The crane has long been an icon of Japanese traditional culture: painted on gilded screens, carved into statues, and even folded into Origami. The crane is by far, the most well-recognized origami form. Despite this, folding a crane is not easy: it takes skill and precision.

The senbazuru is about hope. Challenging yourself to make one thousand cranes is no easy task. To fold a thousand cranes, you must be determined and willing to overcome your challenge.

Despite all our technological advancements, and early detection, cancer is a difficult challenge to overcome, like making senbazuru, one must focus their spirit and be patient to meet the seemingly overwhelming challenge. Of course, one does not fold a thousand cranes instantly, but rather focuses their attention one at a time.

It is my hope that breast cancer will continue to be diagnosed earlier and treatments will become more successful, but in the meantime, I hope this grouping of one thousand cranes will inspire guests and patients to focus their spirit on their own challenges, and hopefully take part in the ancient Japanese tradition of senbazuru and maybe receive the crane’s healing grace.

Thank you very much.