This painting was inspired by the stories of air battles in the Pacific during the Second World War. The painting was painted to be used as a label for sake, which I made in Moscow for my friends.

During World War II, special ceremonies were held before flights, including a ritual cup of sake and a hachimaki (white bandage on the forehead). The pilots’ symbol was a chrysanthemum flower. According to legend, young pilots, flying on a mission, flew over Mount Kaimon in southwestern Japan. The pilots took a last look at their homeland, and, saluting, said goodbye to it.