My life's been full of ups and downs.

Surprised I'm still alive.

"He discovered ceramics at age 70."

I'd be dead if I hadn't
discovered ceramics.

Ceramics saved me. My savior.

"Art Brut" refers to works of art created according to the artist's impulses,

not influenced by traditions or education.

Many of these artists have intellectual and mental health disabilities,

and their work rarely makes it into the outside world.

In Japan, these artists have been creating in obscurity, at home or in social services centers.

This is a record of the daily existence and life of artists

who produce one of a kind creative works.

No art, no life.

Nara, the ancient capital of Japan.

In a quiet residential area, there's a group home for people with disabilities.

Ikezawa Masahiko moved into the home eleven years ago.

He lives together with five companions.

Before arriving here, he had neither home nor job.

He lived on the streets - at the train station or in parks.

It was tough.

"Get outta here!"

People kicked me.

My life took a 180° turn.

It feels like I've entered,

a totally different world.

Good morning.

In a turnaround from his dangerous days on the streets,

he now lives an orderly life.

Except for Sundays, he leaves the home every morning at 9,

and heads to the nearby social services center by car.

I'll take it off.

Thanks.

How are you feeling?

- Feeling good.
- Good? OK.

After checking his blood pressure, he hurries off to the building next-door.

Behind the white door lies Ikezawa's personal studio.

I've been thinking about
this piece since yesterday.

Did it turn out OK?

It did.

He is all by himself in the studio, from nine-to-five every day.

He doesn't use a potter's wheel, but works diligently using his own original method.

Relying solely on his hands, he has created over 2000 pieces.

It's finished.

It turned out,

just like I planned.

This is a vase for a single flower.

After two days of trial-and-error, he created a small but powerful work.

Ikezawa began ceramics nine years ago.

It was a fateful discovery that led him to the art.

Ikezawa was picking vegetables in the garden as usual.

And then, he found something special.

Clay, if it wasn't for that clay,

I wouldn't have this life now.

That clay...

about this much clay.

Where?

Around here.

I dug it up here.

I dug deep,

and found good-quality clay.

It was my first encounter with clay.

I held the clay and thought
of what I could do with it.

That's how I began ceramics.

Freely kneading the clay, he created this bowl.

Ikezawa became obsessed with ceramics.

Just looking at the pictures.

I can't read.

I got a disease in my head.

A disease...

I instantly forgot what I said.

I got Japanese Encephalitis.

I didn't go to middle school,

even though it's compulsory.

I started working at 12.

I did work that,

most people can't do.

I was a laborer, hard physical work,

I put up scaffolding.

I worked my hands and feet hard.

Didn't think I would live this long.

Most people would be dead by now.

Never imagined I
would become homeless.

I was legally married three times.

Lived with a woman once,

so four relationships.

I had a child.

She died.

Suffocation.

She suffocated.

Not even a year old.

She died at 10 months.

Her name was Fujiko.

A girl.

She was so cute.

A cute girl like you'd see in a picture.

I was so happy.

Ikezawa has been making ceramics as though possessed.

Every Wednesday, with the help of a ceramics instructor,

he unloads his fired work from the kiln.

- That's an interesting shape.
- Yeah, it's interesting.

I changed the shape.

I decided how to shape this work.

Cute like my own child.

Ikezawa experienced so
much in life,

I think he has
lots of ideas in his head.

A few years ago,

he said "I want to
go to the family grave."

I wasn't sure where it was,

but we went off in the car.

We got a surprise.

At the grave,

flowers like this were blooming.

We finally found the family grave,

and these little yellow flowers
were blooming all over.

If we are going to live,

have to do whatever
it takes to keep living.

We owe our existence to others.

Even before eating, I pray.

I want everyone to rest in peace.

Rest in peace,

that's what I hope for.

He invests his sincere thoughts into each flower petal.

At each meal, he joins his hands in prayer.

Opening his eyes, there's a delicious meal before him.

We owe our existence to others.

Now...

Now, I'm happy.

What will I create tomorrow?

This is the place where good ideas are always born.

"Be by my side, that's all I ask."

"From that day we made a promise."

Ikezawa Masahiko —

no art, no life.