Puffer Fish

The illustration features a Giant Pufferfish, an old being that serves as a living, moving temple. To give him the personality of an ancient sage, I added a flowing white beard and a traditional smoking pipe. I wanted to create a contrast between the spiked body of the fish and the rigid geometry of the Torii gate and bamboo grove on its back. Small details, like the waterfall cascading down its side, help suggest that this creature has been around long enough for an entire ecosystem to call him home.