it's a crappy reproduction of this [link] photo by Yasushi Nagao. One of my favorite pictures of all time.

On October 12th 1960, Inejiro Asanuma, a politician for the Japanese Socialist party, was assassinated by seventeen year old right wing student Otoya Yamaguchi. While I do not promote murder of any kind, (nor do I promote right wing politics) the passion in this was moving.

To be 17 and so sure of yourself to commit murder is, for me, impossible to fathom. When I was seventeen I could barely decide on what television show to watch.

Three weeks after his arrest, Yamaguchi wrote on the walls of his cell "Seven lives for my country. Ten thousand years for His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor!" and committed suicide with a makeshift rope.

[link] This webpage has information as well as video of the event. When you see the chaos onstage you'll really be amazed at how clear a shot this was. (1:16 is the image)

24x16
Acrylic on Canvas
Speed Painting 2hours>
May 2009