Sant'Elia a pianisi, Italy. 2025 photos by Naoto Sakamoto

“Crepi il lupo” means “May the wolf die” in Italian. and is a traditional, superstitious response to “In bocca al lupo” (into the wolf’s mouth), a phrase used to wish someone good luck, similar to “break a leg”. “Viva il lupo” (Long live the wolf) is a more modern, gentler alternative, stemming from the idea that the wolf’s mouth can be a safe place for a wolf cub to be carried to safety, symbolizing protection.

This mural is situated under the bridge, in front of mural “IN BOCCA AL LUPO” that I painted in 2024.