亀 かめ ( Turtles )

In Japan there is the proverb, "Cranes live 1,000 years, turtles 10,000." Together with cranes (tsuru), kame are thought to be animals symbolizing long life. In ancient China and Korea, tsuru and kame were considered to be symbols of long life and prosperity, and that was conveyed to Japan; that belief has taken deep root in the lives of the Japanese people.