Desire (渇望) – Limited Edition Narrative Print on Japanese Washi

"We see things not as they are, but as we are."

Created in November 2025, Desire (渇望 — Katsubō) is a conceptual exploration of projection and perception. Painted just weeks after the jewelry theft from the Louvre, the work captures a moment of quiet irony on the streets of Paris.

While the title and composition suggest a profound, almost spiritual longing, the reality is far more literal: a pigeon stands over a crown dropped in the gutter in the shadow of the museum. Is it a symbol of fallen power? A commentary on the transience of wealth? Or simply a bird wondering if the gold is edible?

Otsuka challenges the viewer to confront their own "Desire" to find meaning where there may only be a mundane coincidence.

The Craftsmanship To honor the weight of the subject, this piece is rendered on 250g premium Japanese Washi paper. The organic texture of the washi provides a tactile "street" grit that contrasts beautifully with the precision of the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 archival inks. The result is a museum-grade print that feels like a recovered fragment of Parisian history.

Limited Edition Collectibility

• Release Date: 2026 Edition (Original work 2025)
• Run Size: Strictly limited to 20 editions.
• Size: SRA3 (320 x 450 mm)
• Authentication: Hand-signed and numbered. Includes a physical Certificate of Authenticity detailing the historical context of the Louvre crown theft.

©2026 Ryuku Otsuka, All Rights Reserved.