It began with the connection between Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Bunkado Co., Ltd. is engaged in a wide variety of businesses, including printing and design. Under the “Origami Crane Recycling Project” launched in July 2011, one thousand folded paper cranes donated to the Peace Memorial Park are turned into recycled paper and transformed into business cards and postcards, which are then delivered to people as products. One yen from the sale of each recycled origami crane business card is donated to the Hiroshima City A-Bomb Dome Preservation Project Fund, making a significant contribution to the preservation of this historic landmark. In addition, by conducting the sorting of the origami cranes at a vocational-training facility, the project creates employment for people with disabilities.
The inspiration for these activities came from a chance connection. Bunkado was founded in Kumamoto in 1868. In 1897, it moved to Nagasaki, and then after the war to Hiroshima. The company perceived a connection between Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the sites of the atomic bombings, and began this project in the hope of doing something with the origami cranes that arrived from all over the world carrying wishes for peace.

 

The recycled paper made of origami cranes is not just eco-friendly.

The origami cranes donated to the Peace Memorial Park are mixed with milk pulp recycled from milk cartons and are recycled as 100% recycled origami crane paper, contributing to a reduced environmental impact.
Mr. Arakawa from Bunkado said, “Many people remember the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6th. But I want to create other opportunities for people to remember it through recycled origami crane paper.”
Paper cranes are not only a resource but also a way for people to mourn and wish for peace. The products made of recycled origami crane paper also bring the unseen wishes embodied in the cranes to people.

 

Wishes for peace, Spread your wings around the world!

This recycled origami crane paper, which began with the connection between Hiroshima and Nagasaki, brings people together. For example, I hear that handing out a business card made of recycled origami crane paper is a good way to start a conversation and that the recipient often says that it is hard to throw away the card.
Seventy-six years have passed since the atomic bombing, and the history of the war is slowly fading away. Recycled origami crane paper makes us think about peace.
I hope that going forward, this recycled origami crane paper, which has been transformed from one thousand folded paper cranes and embodies wishes of peace, will reach people all over the world and help create a society that is kinder to people and nature.

 

We conducted interviews!

　MATSUMOTO Yasuyo (4th year student, Yasuda Women’s University)

Bunkado Co., Ltd.

2-5-3 Kokutaijimachi Naka-Ku, Hiroshima

+81-082-241-2415

https://www.bunka-do.com/