(Based on Japanese Folklore)
Sentaro was a millionaire, which he had inherited from his father. He spent his time carelessly.
One day he wished he could live forever, as the human life span is very short. So he searched for the elixir of life. On his 7th day of searching, Jofuku (an old Courtier) appeared to him, in answer to his prayer said he will not give him the elixir of life, but will help in another way, by sending him to the country of perpetual life, where death never comes. Jofuku put a little origami crane in Sentaro’s hand, telling him to sit on its back & it would carry him there. Once he did the crane grew large enough for him to ride. After several days he reached the island. He got off the origami crane, it folded up and flew into his pocket.
300 years went by in perpetual life, until he grew tired of living forever & wished to return home. No sooner did he start praying, the crane popped out of his pocket. After all these years no damage, it grew large enough for him to ride again, over the sea, back in the direction of Japan. Then a storm came, the crane got damp, crumpled up and fell, Sentaro with it, down towards the sea. As he got closer a monstrous shape appeared and as it breached the surface of the ocean, a giant whale came in view, that swallows up Sentaro….
…awakened by his own screaming, to find that during his long prayer, he had fallen asleep. So all of his extraordinary & frightful adventure had only been a wild dream. Suddenly a bright light appeared, it was Jofuku who told Sentaro, I have offered you perpetual
life, but you grew tired of living forever. I then offered you an end to it all, but you feared death by the whale. Never neglect what you have. Live a good life, no matter how long. You will be remembered for all the good you have done.
Original Canvas Size 100cm x 30cm
Ian Leaver-Blaxstone 