A growing number of people with disabilities are winning recognition artistically and commercially as their works of art and design find their way into more galleries and shops.
Last November, the Hikarie shopping mall in Shibuya held an exhibition and sale of artworks produced by disabled craftsmen, providing a glimpse of some their talents.
Among the works displayed were traditional "furoshiki" wrapping cloths designed by Kosuke Ota, a 33-year-old autistic man. Ota, who lives in Fukuoka, is a well established artist whose colorful, unique drawings have been featured at exclusive exhibitions since 2001.