This exhibition will introduce ceramic works by Katsusuke Takayama.
Mr. Takayama was born in Tokyo in 1926. After the war, he developed Hansen's Disease and entered Tama Zenshoen in 1946. After entering the sanatorium, he worked in various jobs Inside the sanatorium, got married, began working in the fields, and joined the Akitsu Church, a religious organization located within Inside the sanatorium, all while living within the sanatorium.
However, around 1979, his eyesight deteriorated due to the aftereffects of Hansen's Disease, and he was close to going blind. When he was feeling down about his eyesight deterioration, Shiro Fujita, who frequented the pottery room set up as part of the rehabilitation program at Tama Zenshoen, approached him and said, "It's okay if you just knead the clay." He has continued making pottery for over 30 years, to this day.
Making pottery may not have been a direct treatment for his eyes. But it certainly helped Takayama to be more positive and became his purpose in life. It also helped him overcome despair and the aftereffects of his illness and find a reason to live in the sanatorium. When you consider that Leprosy recovered persons must live with the aftereffects of their illness, the fact that he has continued making pottery to this day is invaluable. And the works that come from his hands are a reflection of Takayama's way of life.
This exhibition will introduce Takayama's works along with photographs that will allow you to learn about his career. New works created by Takayama for this exhibition will also be on display. Please take this opportunity to see these works that give a glimpse of Takayama's figure.