This is the art piece that Taro Okamoto will forever be remembered for - the 70-meter tall "Tower of the Sun" (太陽の塔). The tower was originally created as the central symbol for Expo 70, the world's fair held in Osaka in 1970. The top picture is the cardboard cutout from the museum. The bottom picture is one I snapped of the actual tower in Osaka.

The tower still stands today, thanks to the many Osaka residents who banded together to protest its proposed demolition. During the Expo, the inside of the tower contained a giant walk-in art piece as well. Current plans are to reopen the tower in 2010 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Expo 70.

"Banpaku BANZAI!!! Banpaku BANZAI!!!"