White crane dancing slow
great wings lift gently skyward
and float back to earth.
A lovely young girl
an answer to a prayer
bears a priceless gift.
Weaver’s gentle touch
changes her feathers to silk
outshining the moon.
Price of unmasking
the child again becomes crane,
flying to heaven.
-Haiku based on Japanese folk tale “The Crane Wife”
In ancient Japanese legends, the crane is a symbol of peace and longevity. The Japanese express the grace and beauty of the crane in poetry, song, and art. According to another legend, a wish would be granted to any person who folded a thousand paper cranes. The Red-crowned Crane (sometimes called Japanese Crane) was considered extinct before a surviving population of 24 birds was found in 1923. It has now become a symbol in Japan of environmental protection.