Koushi (His nickname is KOCHAN)　was diagnosed with Down syndrome shortly after his birth.
For my wife and I, who did not even know the name of the disease, it was an extremely shocking diagnosis.
We were filled with anxiety for the future, but we were able to make the best of it with the support of our family, friends, and many others.
With the support of them,Koushi grew up slowly and freely.

He loved to draw pictures since he was a child and he used to draw detailed pictures with pencils and mechanical pencils.
He started drawing pen drawings when he was 15 years old.
His first memorable drawing was done on a park bench in Awaji Island.
I remember that the sea, the ship, and the Akashi Bridge were all depicted in Koushi’s own way.
Since then, he has been painting at his own pace, when he wants to paint and how he wants to paint.
The first time he exhibited his paintings was at the we held an exhibition to celebrate his coming of age.

After that, many people asked us to participate in their exhibitions.
He has been able to hold exhibitions in various places.
Through these wonderful encounters and interactions, paintings of Takashi seem to have become more luminous.
Since that time, it has been our family’s dream to create a studio.

Ko-chan’s studio” was completed on June 11, 2016.

Two days a week he goes to the employment Support Office for Persons with disabilities, and the rest of the time he paints in his studio and home.
Since this atelier was built, his paintings have been changing and the number of stars, flowers, mountains, sea, and other natural elements have increased.
As the environment changed, his mind may have changed at the same time.
For those who know his old paintings, he looks like not a same painter.

I really don’t know the subject matter of his paintings or what he will paint next.

It is a mysterious world where he paints without drafts when he has an idea.

Koushi never explains his paintings.
I feel that the paintings he draws for his family and those whom he cares in his everyday life are something that he has in his heart.
I feel something in the paintings he draws for his family.
Especially when it is a surprise present for his brother’s wedding, or a picture to hang in his brother’s room, or a picture for his grandmother, whom he loved very much, is very special. I feel that they are very special.
Painting in this atelier, which was also a family dream.
Koushi receives energy from this studio, which is also his family’s dream.
Moreover, he shares the studio with those who see him. This studio will be a place where such environment is created.
At the same time, KOCHAN ART rental service started on March 21, 2023.
We hope that as many people as possible will use this service.
We would be very happy if as many people as possible would take advantage of the KOCHAN ART rental service and share in its energy.
I hope that our family will continue to create and protect and support the environment where Koushi can paint freely in good health. I believe that it is also my role as his mother to create such a system.

Koushi is a very big part of our family.
I think that Koushi always connects the bonds and encounters between us and the people we meet.

I would be happy if you could feel something moves your heart when you see his works of art, regardless of whether he has a disability or not.