Journals are usually hidden away under a mattress or secret compartment, but Cristian Marianciuc’s daily journal is meant to be seen and shared by people all over the world.

Named the 365 Origami Crane Project, Marianciuc’s journal has taken the form of one beautiful paper crane folded every day since January 1st, 2015. By utilizing various combinations of paper, colors, textures, and light, he expresses his daily thoughts through his creations.

The idea to make origami cranes was inspired by Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who lived in Hiroshima when the atomic bomb was dropped in 1945. After being diagnosed with leukemia ten years later, she decided to fold 1000 paper cranes to have a wish granted. Unfortunately, she perished before she could fulfill that goal.

Marianciuc was also inspired by another special person — one of his sisters who passed away of leukemia.

To honor them and to drive himself to make the most out of life in 2015, he began the origami project.

Looking back at my cranes, I can, at a glance, remember at least a tiny detail about the day in which it was made. And that makes me emotional, but also extremely thankful,” he told Upworthy.

Here are just some of his unique paper cranes, more of which can be enjoyed from his Instagram and Facebook.

1. Everywhere

“Later that night I held an atlas in my lap, ran my fingers across the whole world and whispered, where does it hurt? It answered — everywhere. Let there be peace!"

2. Premonition

“There is something in the air, a sense of expectation, a silent preparation for something momentous.”

3. Surrender

“All I could do was surrender! And I love the feeling of letting go!”

4. Flickers

“Woke up with a severe feeling of being out of place.”

5. Piled Up

“If more and more people are willing to join me in my adventures, even better.”

6. Braided

“Autumn mornings when getting out of bed requires every drop of motivation and energy.”

7. Give Me Back The Night

“I cannot even remember the last time I was able to lie down in bed, before falling asleep, and not be bombarded by thoughts and faces and ‘what ifs.’

8. Wire Me To Your Heart

“My face is itchy; I am growing a beard again.”

9. We Are 11

“I have 10 siblings. There are still 11 of us, even though one of my sisters was too eager to start queuing up for an amazing pair of wings. She would have turned 30 today. We miss you!”

10. Argh!!!

“I felt like screaming SO badly today.”

11. Running On Fumes

“I have been put into a not-unpleasant state of numbness from the humming of the generator... we are out of electricity again.”

12.Obscure Glimmer

“There is a silver lining in everything. And if you can’t see one, then make one up.”

13. Cosmic Love

“I hate it when I wake up grumpy for no reason. Today I knew I had to paint the bad mood away.”

14. Fortress Of Regrets

“Sunny morning, ready for a well deserved break. Brushing off nagging regrets.”

15. Breathe Out

“Uneventful day, breeze brings the scent of lime and Earl Grey from the cake sitting close to the door.”


By - grape Japan editorial staff.