Hajime Sorayama is moving into a new independent chapter by placing the management of his artwork, intellectual property and commercial partnerships under a company established to represent him directly.
The 79-year-old Japanese artist has ended his management agreement with Nanzuka Gallery and formed Sorayama Hajime Estate Co., Ltd. The company will oversee his licensing, collaborations, exhibitions, media enquiries and wider business affairs.
Known for his hyperreal metallic figures and futuristic visual language, Sorayama has influenced art, fashion, product design and music culture. His creative world has also crossed into major entertainment projects, including collaborations connected with The Weeknd.
Bringing creative ownership in-house
The new structure gives Sorayama and his team greater control over how his name, imagery and intellectual property are used.
It reflects a wider shift among established creatives towards managing valuable catalogues through dedicated estates or artist-controlled businesses. These structures can provide clearer oversight of licensing agreements, physical artworks, digital assets and brand collaborations.
At 79, Sorayama reportedly continues to produce new work daily, with further projects currently in development.
Questions surrounding his digital identity
Sorayama Hajime Estate Co., Ltd. says it does not currently have access to or administrative control over the Instagram account @hajimesorayamaofficial.
The company has therefore advised followers and potential partners not to treat information published through that account as official communication until access is restored. Updates are instead being directed through sorayamahajime.com.
The situation demonstrates how an artist’s online identity can become separated from the person it represents. Losing control of a verified or established account creates reputational and commercial risks, particularly when followers may reasonably assume its posts remain authorised.
Artwork and intellectual-property transition
The estate also says the transfer of certain trademarks, artworks and managed assets following the termination of the previous agreement has not yet been completed.
According to Sorayama’s team, it is working with the relevant parties to resolve the outstanding matters. The process may reportedly delay the delivery of some artworks purchased by collectors.
These statements represent the position of Sorayama and Sorayama Hajime Estate Co., Ltd. rather than an independently resolved account of the transition.
Estate raises concerns over trading cards
Sorayama’s representatives have separately questioned certain products advertised as “2026 KAKAWOW Phantom Hajime Sorayama Trading Cards.”
The estate alleges that autographs promoted as Sorayama’s hand-signed signatures were not personally signed by the artist. It says relevant authorities are being consulted over suspected forgery and the alleged unauthorised use of his signature.
Those claims should not be treated as established findings unless confirmed by the relevant authorities. KAKAWOW has not been represented in the material supplied regarding the allegations.
Sorayama’s decision to centralise his affairs highlights how creative independence now extends well beyond making the work. Control of intellectual property, social accounts, authentication and licensing has become essential to protecting an artist’s legacy—and ensuring their name does not develop a commercial life beyond their authority.