Regarding the holding of the “Memorial Katsusuke Takayama Ceramics Exhibition”

Katsusuke Takayama (1926-2018) was diagnosed with Hansen's Disease at the age of 19 and entered Tama Zenshoen in 1946. After entering the sanatorium, he worked in various Patient procedures, worked in the fields, and participated in religious activities at Akitsu Church. However, around 1979, his eyesight deteriorated rapidly due to the aftereffects of Hansen's Disease, and he almost went blind. Although he was deeply depressed, what helped him to recover was pottery, which he started at the recommendation of a friend. After starting pottery, Takayama continued to create pottery energetically. He also exhibited his works at exhibitions outside the sanatorium, and in 1998 he won the NHK Urawa Broadcasting Station Director's Award at the Ceramic Art Foundation Exhibition organized by the Ceramic Art Culture Promotion Foundation. Takayama has been making pottery for over 30 years, and from February 11 to March 6, 2011, we held the "2010 Special Exhibition: Katsusuke Takayama Ceramic Art Exhibition" at The National Hansen's Disease Museum gallery.
Even after the "Ceramics Exhibition," Takayama continued to work in the fields and engage in religious activities, and lived a peaceful life with his wife, Sumie. However, in July 2018, he fell ill and passed away on August 3rd. He was 91 years old.
During his lifetime, Takayama-san provided various forms of support to The National Hansen's Disease Museum. In Video testimonials corner of The National Hansen's Disease Museum permanent exhibition room, "Everyone in the Ceramics Room of Tama Zenshoen Rehabilitation Department," he talks about his encounter with ceramics and the joy he found in it. He shared valuable information with us every time we had an exhibition, and donated materials from his life and photographs. During our "Ceramics Exhibition," he donated most of the works he exhibited to The National Hansen's Disease Museum.
This month marks exactly one year since Takayama passed away. Recently, Sumie Takayama requested that we hold an exhibition of Takayama Katsusuke's work at The National Hansen's Disease Museum gallery.
Through the exhibition of many of Takayama's posthumous works, we hope to take this opportunity to remember him and to reflect on the meaning of the pottery work he devoted himself to while in the sanatorium.

August 3, 2019 (Reiwa Gen)
The National Hansen's Disease Museum

Outline of the event

[Date and time]
August 3, 2019(soil)From Friday, August 23

【venue】
The National Hansen's Disease Museum 1st floor Gallery

[Opening hours]
9:30am to 4:30pm (entry until 4pm) Free viewing

【closing day】
Mondays, days after public holidays (closed on August 13th)

Mourning Katsusuke Takayama Ceramics Exhibition Gallery