#Japan #Tokyo #Tokyo Event #Art Project #Yamaya Bori

Uniting Art and Community: The Yamaya Bori Ocha Yu Family Event

The TURN LAND program, hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Arts Council Tokyo, and the Yanaka Okatte Association, is set to unveil an inspiring event that combines the talents of professional artists with the creativity of individuals from welfare facilities. On October 18, 2025, in Yamaya Bori Park, located near Asakusa High School, the special one-day project titled "Yamaya Bori Ocha Yu Family" featuring artist Kimura Toshirōjinjin will bring together various participants for an unforgettable afternoon.

A Community-Centric Approach to Art

The event encapsulates a fundamental philosophy regarding disability; that obstacles do not reside within individuals but in societal structures. The "Yamaya Bori Ocha Yu Family" seeks to challenge these societal norms by fostering an environment of participation and collaboration. Rather than starting with a strict outline or vision, this initiative will grow organically through shared experiences among its participants. This community-focused approach emphasizes the value of coexistence and aims to illustrate how we might collectively reshape our social interactions.

The Process of Collaboration

The planning stages encompassed input from both the users of Asakusa Miraido and Kimura. The project title, "Yamaya Bori Ocha Yu Family," emerged from a shared desire among users to build warmer, more familial connections within the community, creating space where everyone can contribute.

As we approach the event in October, roles are not pre-defined but naturally evolve as participants engage more deeply. Attendees will assist in tea bowl preparation and event organization, each at their own pace. This collaborative effort creates a unique creative process, one where the act of engaging enriches the final output—an illustrative protest against conventional notions of disability and societal expectations.

A Celebration of Interconnectedness

The grand event on October 18 will serve as a culmination of months of interaction and effort. Attendees—including individuals from welfare facilities, their families, local residents, and curious passersby—will participate in a communal tea ceremony inspired by Kimura's "Nodate" project. This will not just be a tea-drinking gathering but a celebration of diversity, showcasing how individuals can interact meaningfully, fostering the notion that communities flourish when they embrace varied abilities and perspectives.

Embracing a Spectrum of Possibilities

In preparation for the event, participants will engage in discussions about their experiences, emphasizing how each interaction contributes to the overall structure of community life. As attendees custom-paint their tea bowls and share stories during the process, the day symbolizes more than just artistic endeavor; it represents hope for a society where everyone participates and contributes, breaking down barriers erected by misunderstanding or fear.

The Power of Creative Participation

This initiative emphasizes the "joy of agency"—where involvement is not seen as an obligation, but as a fulfilling experience for all individuals involved. As community members explore their desires and artistic inclinations together, the outcome is harmony, joy, and a profound sense of belonging. Thus, the project not only addresses contemporary social challenges such as declining birth rates and community disintegration but also sets the stage for generative societal participation.

Witnessing a New Model of Togetherness

The research perspectives for this initiative highlight diverse aspects:

• - Emerging Art from Process: Insight into how creative work can evolve through communal interaction, celebrating each participant's unique characteristics.
• - Redefining Roles: Observing how individuals can discover their place within a collaborative setup without the need for divisive job assignments or instructions.

Kimura Toshirōjinjin: The Artist Behind the Vision

Kimura, a ceramic artist and art creator, has been leading "Nodate" projects across Japan since 1995, transforming public spaces into moments of community engagement. Known for blending street art with local culture, he employs a movable teahouse concept to connect with audiences—baking personalized bowls on-site and allowing participants to savor tea brewed in their unique vessels.

This adventurous approach to art encourages interaction and spontaneity, thriving on the collective spirit of participants.

The TURN LAND Program: A Broader Vision

Since its inception in 2022, the TURN LAND initiative has invited involvement from various welfare facilities, including group homes for the elderly and schools for children with disabilities, creating connections with diverse artists. The program exemplifies how collaborative artistic expression can effectively bridge societal divides. By fostering an environment where distinct values and perspectives coalesce, it encourages explorations into what sustainable and inclusive communities can truly embody.

To learn more about the TURN LAND program and its endeavors, visit TURN LAND Program Official Site.