“The Grateful Crane” is a well-known Japanese folk tale that originated as “The Story of the White Crane” from Sado.

The story begins with a poor yet kind-hearted man who rescues an injured crane. In gratitude, a beautiful girl appears and eventually becomes his wife. She weaves beautiful textiles but warns the man never to peek at her.

When he breaks his promise and looks, he discovers the crane weaving textiles with its feathers. The crane then flies away forever.

This tale prompts us to consider our actions when faced with temptation. How will you behave when faced with this piece?

If you’re curious about this story, we encourage you to ask a Sado Island resident about the meaning of the words “Tsurutsuru Binbo.”