A Closer Look at Each Mother and Child

Down syndrome, officially known as Down syndrome, is a congenital syndrome caused by having an extra copy of chromosome 21. It occurs in approximately 1 in 800 to 1,000 births, regardless of gender, race, or economic status.

This is the first photography exhibition in Japan specifically for mothers of children with Down syndrome, held in time for Mother's Day. "Mother's Day ~I’m a mother of child with down syndrome~" is an exhibition where photographer Naotaka Miyamoto captures the essence of each parent and child, and each mother individually.


The exhibition expresses the unique stories of the 21 parent-child pairs, conveying the anxieties and struggles of raising a child with a disability, as well as the joy, strength, and tenderness found in overcoming them.

Regarding this exhibition, Miyamoto commented, "Even within Down syndrome, everyone looks different, and they often resemble their parents. Once you get used to it, they seem quite ordinary. And while some mothers are initially shocked and find it difficult to accept the reality, if they can overcome that hurdle and find a different form of happiness, it's certainly not a tragedy. In fact, the struggles they've endured make them more captivating individuals."


Naotaka Miyamoto
Born in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1961. Studied under Oliviero Toscani in Italy from 1990 to 1991. Has held numerous open-space photography exhibitions since 2007.

Mother's Day ~I’m a mother of child with down syndrome~
Dates | May 8 (Mon) - May 14 (Sun), 2017
Location | Tokyo Metro Omotesando Station Concourse (Near AD Wall and Exit B1)