In 2006, Jo Anne was invited to produce 4 paintings of Kumamoto Castle, to commemorate its 400th Anniversary happening in 2007. Here is part of her message when the paintings were presented to the city, in March, 2007.
"I have visited Japan many times over the last fifteen years,and have seen the castle twice in that time. It is very beautiful and imposing, and I hope that I have managed to express the strength and character of this engineering feat, how it has survived through the many changes of seasons over the last 400 years."
