5/6 11AM TALK EVENT : In the Midst of Parting — End-of-Life Care and Family Time
©︎Kazuhiko Matsumura / Threshold: Images in Flux
During the exhibition period of “Threshold — Images in Flux,” photographer Kazuhiko Matsumura, who created the exhibition space centered on end-of-life care, will host a talk event with Matsuyo Kamada (former Executive Director of the Japan Dementia Association), who kindly contributed to the research.
Last summer, Kamada saw her mother-in-law, Setsuko, through her final days. Setsuko had lived with dementia for many years and resided in a care facility, often expressing her wish to “go home.” When pneumonia brought her close to the end of her life, Kamada arranged for her to return home, where she passed away three days later, surrounded by her family. Matsumura documented those final three days, along with the circumstances leading up to them, through photographs and text.
Is death a clearly defined end? Or does it remain within an ongoing process of parting? Facility or home, public support or private care, personal wishes and practical constraints—none of these can be simply resolved. End-of-life care exists within a time shaped by shifting emotions and conditions.
In this talk, beginning with Kamada’s experience, we will reflect on what it means to accompany someone at the end of life, and how families live through the time of parting with a loved one.
We warmly invite you to join us.
■ Speakers : Matsuyo Kamada (Former Executive Director, Japan Dementia Association), Kazuhiko Matsumura
■ Date & Time : Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 11:00 AM
■ Venue : RPS KYOTO PAPEROLES (603 Oimatsucho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto)
■ Admission : Free
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Matsuyo Kamada
Born in 1956 in Saga Prefecture.
Worked as a nurse in university hospitals, as well as in facilities for people with disabilities and the elderly, and in home-care services.
Member of the Japan Dementia Association.
Kazuhiko Matsumura
Born in 1980 in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture.
Joined The Kyoto Shimbun in 2003. Engaged in long-term projects on themes such as “life,” “social security,” and “care.” His reporting on dementia has appeared in newspaper series and magazines. In spring 2023, he held the photo exhibition “Threads of the Heart” at KYOTOGRAPHIE.
©︎Kazuhiko Matsumura / Threshold: Images in Flux
©︎Kazuhiko Matsumura / Threshold: Images in Flux
©︎Kazuhiko Matsumura / Threshold: Images in Flux
©︎Kazuhiko Matsumura / Threshold: Images in Flux
©︎Kazuhiko Matsumura / Threshold: Images in Flux