Colourful origami (折り紙) cranes at Toshogu shrine, Ueno Park.
Senbazuru (千羽鶴 - "Thousand Origami Cranes") such as these have a special meaning for Japanese people: there is a legend promising that whoever folds a thousand paper cranes will have their wish granted by a crane, which is one of the mystical creatures (along with dragons and tortoises) that are said to live a thousand years.
After WWII, senbazuru have been associated with the Hiroshima tragedy, and can often be seen hanging from peace & memorial monuments, such as this one in Ueno.
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