Tiny silver sheet by tiny silver sheet, my army of 1,001 origami cranes is slowly coming together.

My fingertips are chapped from creasing and my back aches from bending over each paper to ensure the folds are just right. On the rare day I hit my 10-crane goal, I celebrate by taking a few days off even though I can’t afford the delay.

Such is the fate of this local Japanese bride.

Folding “senbazuru,” or 1,000 cranes (isle Japanese culture adds one more, as with birthday candles, for extra good luck), is not required of a bride, but many choose to tackle the task.

In Japanese folklore, cranes are mythical creatures, and each origami crane signifies one year of the animal’s life. Traditionally, people folded cranes with wishes and prayers in mind, and it was said those thoughts were lifted up to the heavens once the senbazuru was complete.

Nowadays the process teaches patience — lots and lots of patience.

When marriage was still a fleeting thought, I knew I definitely would be 110 percent into folding cranes.

Then I got engaged for real, and I forgot about the cranes for almost a month.

When I finally remembered — thanks to a magazine article, of all things — I panicked, went out and bought packs of origami sheets, and then panicked more about how I would fold hundreds and hundreds of itty-bitty paper birds.

Once I timed myself making one — about 5 minutes. Then I did another one but tried to go faster — still 5 minutes. How can? My confidence was shot.

Luckily, that’s what friends and family are for (and in this day and age, help is totally OK). I am fortunate that I’ve gotten a boost from one of my good pals as well as my auntie. And, in a sentimental touch, I was given some cranes my late grandpa made many years ago.

Different hands mean different crane styles, but that’s fine with me. I prefer variety over cookie-cutter perfection. Also, it means I can hide my many screw-ups among other people’s nicer renditions.

The problem with folding senbazuru is now that I have started, especially with a wedding deadline, I am always fretting about my seeming lack of progress. Sure, I have a decent count, but I am certain I am still behind. Not only do the rest need to get folded; I need to figure out how I’m going to present 1,001 cranes in a somewhat orderly manner.

Some brides have their cranes assembled into their Japanese family crest. I would just as soon dump them all in a big bowl, but I know folks would appreciate a nicer display. Again, this is where outside help is very much needed.

Speaking of need, I ought to be folding some cranes right now.

“She Speaks” is a weekly column by the women writers of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Reach Celia Downes at cdownes@staradvertiser.com.