Takashi Kita
Japan, 1932-
Profile
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1932 Born in Hyogo Prefecture. 1949 Contracted Hansen’s disease Worked at a printing shop, and was an outpatient at the nearby Osaka University Hospital. Showed no bacillus after two years of treatment. 1952 After his cousin’s proposed marriage was cancelled because of his past Hansen’s disease, he sought to become a Tenrikyo missionary, and after going through the Tenrikyo self-improvement course, was certified as a missionary. He later returned to his hometown, but said he did not want to be involved with a church, and with one hapi coat, one book, and ¥4,000, left home. About two months later he used his last ¥10 to buy a stamp, and with the intention of committing suicide, wrote a letter to his family. He meets a kind person, however, who gives him a job. His family used the postmark on the letter to find him, and he returned home. 1959 Entered National Sanatorium Nagashima-Aiseien. When he entered, he needed urgent treatment because of his weakened physical condition from the time he was wandering. This cured his difficulty breathing, and he became involved in photography, literature, and art. 1965 Aftereffects including impaired hands and feet and a collapsed nose appeared, so he visits (what was then the clinic of) Dr. Minoru Narita at Tama Zenshoen Sanatorium. 1973 Made a second visit to Tama Zenshoen Sanatorium for treatment. Took up ceramics as part of his rehabilitation, and spent his time between treatments in the ceramics studio. 1984 Moved to Tama Zenshoen Sanatorium. An exhibition of works from Tama Zenshoen’s rehabilitation department’s ceramics studio is held every year at the Highashi Murayama public hall. 199? Right leg was amputated because of foot perforation. 1997 Carbonized vase won the Asahi Shimbun Award at the Ceramic Art Foundation’s exhibition. 2004 Together with other studio members, held a five-person exhibition titled “Supported by Clay” at the Shimane Art Museum. 2007 With his vision gradually deteriorating since around 1993, had an operation to remove cataracts. |
