【The Guardian Series】 Even when unseen by human eyes, there are presences that draw quietly near and watch over us. The Guardian Series is a collection of fantastical works depicting creatures long revered as sacred beings, guides, and symbols of protection — each rendered in their own distinct form of guardianship. Some draw close in silence, some keep watch over looming danger from behind, some illuminate the path forward through uncertainty. Strength may not always mean fierce battle — perhaps it simply means being there, steadfast and watchful. Each guardian in this series, painted in moonlight, stillness, and ethereal light, carries its own story and meaning. I hope that those who encounter these works feel, within them, a story shared with a guardian uniquely their own. 『Moonlit White Serpent Tale』 Beneath a golden moon that softly illuminates the night, a lone woman stands — and coiling gently beside her, a white serpent. Layered into a world of deep black, warm gold, and white are blossoms, the soft shimmer of water, and delicate motifs drawn from Japanese aesthetics. The white serpent has long evoked mystery, rebirth, and protection. Its great body does not ensnare the woman — instead, it winds around her like an embrace, shielding her from the outside world, a quiet and steadfast guardian at her side. The ornate embroidery of a vivid kimono, the serpent's fluid curves, the golden luminescence of moonlight. By weaving a thread of subtle tension and enchantment through the beauty, I sought to capture a single moment poised on the boundary between reality and dream. Depending on the viewer, it may read as protection, as a sacred bond, or as a scene from some distant, half-remembered tale — A work of quiet narrative depth, where Japanese sensibility (mono no aware — the bittersweet beauty of things) meets the world of the fantastical.