Copain necco-chan was born in 2020. It was the year he passed away, his beloved cat and son.
I was terribly saddened; Copain's last years were marked by illness and old age, and he seemed to suffer. But by becoming a Buddha, he was freed from illness, old age, gender, appearance...all these things, and he could go wherever he wanted and eat a delicious meal anytime he wanted. I felt strongly that I wanted to preserve that in my paintings.
That is how the current Copain necco-chan was born.

He is now protecting our house as a guardian spirit.
Sometimes, in the middle of the night, I hear his mewling voice demanding, "Give me a new meal!"
I do as he asks and offer him a tasty canned food.

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