This piece portrays structures emblematic of Japan’s historical epochs, from ancient to modern times. Having personally visited these sites, I hold deep pride in my nation’s enduring cultural heritage. Yet, I am also aware of humanity’s unyielding thirst for power, the cyclical nature of history, and what comes from failing to learn from history’s lessons. In this painting, layering the arrangement of these edifices and landmarks is a strategic juxtaposition of the modern, the ancient, the secular, and the spiritual, It hearkens to the myth of the Tower of Babel, a tower being shaped by our past, present, and the choices we make for our future. The famous gate of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine stands as an anchor to the ancient past while a new construction, the Great Buddha of Todaiki Temple, rises in the foreground. There is a gentle admonition here, urging us to see the repetitions of certain cycles around us and make better choices for our future.