TAKE

In 2001, at the age of 34, Take suffered a stroke that left him with severe aftereffects, including dysarthria, hearing loss, aphasia, and paralysis in his right hand, forcing him to abandon his music career. Amidst his despair, a pivotal moment came when he saw a scene from director Takeshi Kitano's film HANA-BI, where a paralyzed police officer quietly paints. Inspired by the scene, Take tried sketching with his left hand and was amazed by the natural flow of his lines. This moment sparked a newfound sense of hope, and he began selling his art on the streets before his hospital discharge. His actions quickly gained attention, leading to an invitation from Takashimaya department store.

Since then, Take has held numerous solo exhibitions across Japan and has provided artworks for hospitals, temples, and sake breweries. He has given over 650 lectures, inspiring others with his story. In May 2025, he will hold a long-awaited solo exhibition in New York.

Take lives by the belief that “in life, there are very few things that are truly impossible,” a message he hopes to share with the world through his art and personal journey of perseverance.

2001年、34歳のときに脳卒中で倒れたTakeは、構音障害、聴覚障害、失語症、右手麻痺という重い後遺症を抱え、長年続けてきた音楽活動を断念せざるを得なかった。絶望の中で彼の心を動かしたのは、北野武監督の映画『HANA-BI』に登場する、半身不随の警察官が静かに絵を描くシーンだった。「もしかしたら、自分も描けるかもしれない」──そう思い、左手でスケッチブックに向かったところ、信じられないほど自然に線を描けた。その瞬間、“描くこと”に生きる希望を見出した。

退院を待たずに路上で作品の販売を始めると、その行動は話題を呼び、メディアで広く報道され、百貨店の高島屋にスカウトされるまでに至った。以後、全国で個展を重ね、病院、寺院、酒蔵などへの作品提供も行ってきた。講演活動は650回を超え、2025年5月には長年の夢だったニューヨーク個展の開催が決まっている。Takeは常に自分に挑み、決して枠にはまることなく生きてきた。

「人生には、本当に不可能なことなどほとんどない」――それが彼が世界に伝えたいメッセージである。