Do you buy tickets for the lottery? Do you spend a few thousand yen now and then hoping to 'win big'? Of course, a great many people participate in the 'takarakuji', but whenever I see those long line-ups outside the ticket agents whenever the big 'jumbo' approaches, I feel a bit sorry for them all.

A while ago, during a casual conversation, a friend brought up that common question, "What would you do if you won a giant prize?" He went on to describe how he would quit his job, and generally take up a completely different lifestyle. A big smile spread across his face as he thought about it ...

But when he asked me that question ... how could I answer him? I am in the middle of a ten-year project to make woodblock prints of the entire Hyaku-nin Isshu. After more than seven years of work, I have finished 63 prints. Nearly four years work remain ... If I were to win the lottery, should I quit my job?

Each time a new print is finished, and comes off the blocks for the first time, I get a double thrill. "What a beautiful print!", and then "One step closer ..." If I were to win the lottery, should I quit my job?

When I think about that time four years from now, when I will stand in a gallery and see my 100 finished prints hanging on the wall ... If I were to win the lottery, should I quit my job?

There are indeed some things that no amount of money can buy ... Can I ask you again ... Do you buy lottery tickets?

Why?