Born in Kyoto, in 1927 as the grandson of a Kano School painter and the son of a Nishijin textile pattern designer.
Enters the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (Tokyo University of the Arts) after studying for four years at the Kyoto Municipal High School of Arts and Crafts.
Participates to Guggenheim International Exhibition in 1958.
Forms Todoroki-kai, an artist group consisting of Misao Yokoyama, Sho Ishimoto and Kayama in 1959.
Holds solo exhibition at the Janet Nestler Gallery in NY in 1961.
In 1995, becomes Emeritus Professor of the Tokyo University of the Arts.
British Museum holds “KAYAMA MATAZO— New Triumphs for Old Traditions” Exhibition in 1996.
Selected as Person of Cultural Merit.
Honored with the Order of Culture. Dies at the age of 76 in 2004.

ONBEAT vol.08 features Matazo Kayama