“Those with Wings of Self-expression”
20 years ago, when Katayama Studio was established, there was no place in Japan where people withdisabilities could express themselves like today.
Most of them would go to places called “Community Workplace” operated by the local government,
after graduating from a special-needs school at the age of 18. Those community workplaces wereestablished as places for disabled individuals to work and spend their days. Parents with disabledchildren also hoped their children would work as a part of society.
The predecessor of Katayama Studio was a community workplace and had started out as a place tocomplete small tasks. However, although it was called a workplace, in reality, disabled individuals
were simply assigned a task that didn’t match with what they could do or what they wanted to do.
Those who cannot complete those tasks due to their disabilities would just sit at the workplace all day,waiting for the time to pass, while the staff would complete the tasks for them.
I started to question the way these workplaces operated. As the first step of transformation, I stopped
assigning tasks to disabled individuals, which they were unable to carry out. We stopped all tasks andstarted to carefully listen to their stories. We decided to focus on what each of those individuals cando. By doing so, we started to hear their real voices, expressing: “I want to do this”, “I want to write
my name”, “I want to draw”, etc.
Takashi Sawada was only able to move his right leg due to severe cerebral palsy. Initially, he tried towrite letters using his leg but he was unable to do so. After some trial and error, he kicked a paper cup
filled with paint with his right leg and was able to create a drawing. Seeing this, I was unconsciously
asking him, “What would you like to do tomorrow?” At that moment, I could see a future for all ofthese individuals.
From that day, we decided to support art activities as a method for them to live their own unique
lives. We believed that, instead of making them do a task they can’t complete, continuous success on
things they can actually do would encourage them to live with enthusiasm in the coming days. I
wanted to make a place where they can feel that they are “living” their lives. Working does not mean

you’re living a life. And so, we decided to rename the place Katayama Studio and started to provide aplace for self-expression.
By presenting these free and lively art pieces to the society, I hope it would encourage the audience to“live” their lives as well.
With the philosophy “People Are the Axes”, we, Katayama Studio, are continuing our activities to live
closely with people.
Syuhei Shinkawa
Director of Katayama StudioHistoryApril 1993Started as a Center for Independent Living (Community Workplace)June 2003

Renamed as “Katayama Studio”; started to support art by disabled individuals

April 2004

Started “Katayama Art Club” to support disability art for those not eligible forthe system

June 2010

Established “100 Years Social Welfare Non-Profit Organization”

October 2011

Started a welfare service business for persons with disabilities, under the name
“Katayama Studio” (life nursing care business)

June 2013

10th anniversary

December 2013

Hosted a 10th-anniversary symposium

June 2023

20th anniversary