Sadako Sasaki facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sadako Sasaki
Sadako Sasaki in 1955
Born	Sadako Sasaki (1943-01-07)January 7, 1943 Kusunoki, Yamaguchi, Japan
Died	October 25, 1955(1955-10-25) (aged 12) Red Cross Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
Cause of death	Leukemia
Resting place	Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
Occupation	Student

Sadako Sasaki (佐々木 禎子, Sasaki Sadako, January 7, 1943 – October 25, 1955) was a young Japanese girl. She became famous for her story after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. Sadako was only two years old when the bomb was dropped. She was exposed to a lot of radiation. She lived for ten more years. Sadako became one of the most well-known hibakusha. This is a Japanese word for someone affected by the atomic bomb. People remember her for folding over one thousand origami cranes before she died. She passed away at age 12 on October 25, 1955.

The Atomic Bombing

Sadako Sasaki was at home when the atomic bomb hit Hiroshima. Her house was about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) from where the bomb exploded. The blast threw her out of a window. Her mother ran to find her, fearing the worst. But Sadako, then two years old, was alive with no clear injuries.

As they ran to escape, Sadako and her mother were caught in black rain. This rain contained radioactive fallout from the bomb. Sadako's grandmother went back into the house. She died near the house, likely trying to hide from fires.

Sadako's Health After the Bomb

Sadako grew up like other children. She was an important member of her class relay team. In November 1954, Sadako started to have swelling on her neck and behind her ears. By January 1955, purple spots appeared on her legs.

Doctors then told her she had acute leukemia. Her mother and others in Hiroshima called it "atomic bomb disease." Sadako was admitted to the hospital on February 21, 1955. Doctors said she might only have a year to live.

Several years after the atomic bomb, more and more children developed leukemia. By the early 1950s, it was clear. The leukemia was caused by radiation from the bomb. Sadako received blood transfusions at the Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital. When she was admitted, her white blood cell count was very high. It was six times higher than a normal child's.

Folding Origami Cranes

In August 1955, Sadako moved to a new hospital room. She shared it with Kiyo, a girl two years older than her. Soon after, paper cranes were brought to her room. These cranes came from a local high school club.

Sadako's friend, Chizuko Hamamoto, told her an old Japanese story. The legend says that if you fold 1,000 paper cranes, you can make a wish. Sadako decided to fold 1,000 cranes. She wished to get well.

Sadako had a lot of free time in the hospital. But she did not have much paper. So, she used medicine wrappers and anything else she could find. She even went to other patients' rooms to ask for paper from their get-well gifts. Chizuko also brought paper from school for Sadako.

A popular version of the story says Sadako folded only 644 cranes before she died. It says her friends finished the 1,000 cranes. Then they buried them all with her. This version comes from a book called Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.

However, an exhibit at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum tells a different story. It states that Sadako reached her goal of 1,000 cranes by the end of August 1955. She then continued to fold 300 more cranes. Sadako's older brother, Masahiro Sasaki, also says in his book that she folded more than 1,000 cranes.

Sadako's Final Days

While in the hospital, Sadako's health got worse. Around mid-October 1955, her left leg swelled up and turned purple. Her family asked her to eat something. Sadako asked for tea on rice. She said, "it's tasty." She then thanked her family. These were her last words.

Sadako died on the morning of October 25, 1955. She was 12 years old. Her family and friends were with her. After her death, Sadako's body was studied. This was done by the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission. They researched the effects of the atomic bomb on the human body. Then she was cremated.

Remembering Sadako

After Sadako's death, her friends and schoolmates wanted to honor her. They collected letters to raise money. Their goal was to build a memorial for Sadako. It would also be for all the children who died from the atomic bomb's effects.

In 1958, a statue of Sadako was unveiled. It stands in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The statue shows Sadako holding a golden crane. At the bottom of the statue, a plaque reads: "This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace in the world."

Every year during the Obon holiday, people remember their ancestors. Thousands of people leave paper cranes near Sadako's statue. An online database has been created for paper cranes. People can leave a message of peace and record their crane donations there.

Sadako's family has donated some of her cranes to important places around the world. These include the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. They also sent cranes to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Other places include the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum and the Museum of Tolerance. The Japanese American National Museum also received cranes. Clifton Truman Daniel, President Truman's grandson, helped with some of these donations. There is also a statue of Sadako in the Seattle Peace Park.

Sadako Sasaki has become a powerful symbol. She represents the terrible effects of nuclear war. She is an international symbol for peace and a peaceful world. Her story is especially important during conflicts like the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Sadako is also a heroine for many girls in Japan. Her story is told in some Japanese schools. This happens on the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing. People all over Japan celebrate August 6 as the annual peace day, dedicated to Sadako.

Artist Sue DiCicco started the Peace Crane Project in 2013. This project celebrates Sadako's legacy. It connects students worldwide with a vision of peace. DiCicco and Sadako's brother wrote a book together. It is called The Complete Story of Sadako Sasaki. They hope to share her true story with English-speaking countries. Their website offers a study guide for students. It also has a section where you can "Ask Masahiro."

Images for kids

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  Cranes created Japanese children from all over the country

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  Japanese schoolchildren dedicating a collection of cranes in Hiroshima Peace Park

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  Sadako Sasaki statue in Peace Park in Seattle, Washington

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  Memorial in Paris, France

See also

In Spanish: Sadako Sasaki para niños

• Children of Hiroshima
• The Day of the Bomb
• Hiroshima Maidens
• Hiroshima Witness
• Orizuru
• Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes