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Ama divers_Japan  
(153 images)

  • Kusue Nakamura, Ama Diver in Osatu, Mie Prefecture, Japan <br /> <br /> Kusue, a spry 92-year-old, comes from a generation of ama divers. She has fifteen great grandchildren and it’s a family endeavor to haul in the seafood catch each day. Even a nonagenarian like Kusue still helps to unload and dry the seaweed. <br /> “When I was a little girl my mother taught me to free-dive by throwing coins in the water to retrieve. We had to learn to hold our breath for long periods of time. We used to dive in the chilly waters all day wearing only a white cloth, not these rubber suits. This is not a job meant for human beings, it’s <br /> too much hard work.”
    Kusue Nakamura, Ama Diver in Osatu, Mie Prefecture, Japan Kusue, a...
  • Suzuyo Sawada (81) and Kazuyo Murayama (77) “Ama” Free-Divers in Osatu, Mie Prefecture, Japan <br /> <br /> Each morning Suzuyo and Kazuyo gather in the warming hut to lather on body oil and absorb the heat from a small crackling fire. The ocean waters are frigid and in their only nod to modernity, wetsuits have replaced the white cotton clothing of their ancestors. The traditional ama star symbol they paint onto their white hoods protects them and ensures a safe return to shore. The women still shun supplemental oxygen tanks, they grew up free-diving. <br /> The Japanese ama divers, or “sea women,” swim to the bottom of the ocean floor dozens of times a day, each time holding their breath for up to two minutes. They collect the seafood that they will later sell; such as seaweed, conch, lobster and abalone. Women are considered to be better divers than men due to the distribution of their body fat and ability to hold their breath for long periods of time. <br /> This 3000-year-old traditional job has been has been passed down through generations, when the women originally dived for pearls.<br /> There were once over 17,000 Japanese ama divers in the 1950’s. Now only about 2,000 free-diving fisherwomen remain in this long-standing lineage of work. Most of these women are now septuagenarians like Kazuyo. “As third-generation divers, my friends and I are probably the last. The younger women in the village don’t want to pursue this profession. They’ve all moved to the cities to find more modern occupations.”
    Suzuyo Sawada (81) and Kazuyo Murayama (77) “Ama” Free-Divers in...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. Approaching the beach for their dive, they wear white hoods for good luck, symbolic of the Ama divers. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama free diver, well into her 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. She runs a small Ama hut restuarant, Ama Hut Ozegosan, and cooks fresh seafood for guests. The white hood with the star is an Ama symbol and worn for good luck. Model released.
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third generation women Ama free divers, well into their 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. Shore diving for shellfish. The women are considered better divers because of their body fat. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third...
  • Sayuri Nakamura (70), Ama Diver in Osatu, Mie Prefecture, Japan <br /> <br /> Sayuri, is Kusue’s daughter-in-law and at seventy still free-dives, just as all the women in her family have for generations. Now they dive for food and not pearls. Sayuri spends hours each day submerged in the sea, holding her breath for up to two minutes at a time as she fishes for seaweed and seafood. “My husband drives the boat but women are better equipped at holding our breath and enduring the frigid ocean. My mother-in-law, at ninety-two, was also a diver and still works drying the seaweed. My daughter hauls the catch onto the boat but she is not interested to be a professional diver. I may be the last actual ama diver in our family.”
    Sayuri Nakamura (70), Ama Diver in Osatu, Mie Prefecture, Japan...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. In the early morning hours the women apply oil and warm themselves themselves by the fire in the warming hut to prepare for the days dive. This diving is a 2000 year old tradition, they are third generation divers and all these women are well into their 70's. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third generation women Ama free divers, well into their 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. Shore diving for shellfish. The women are considered better divers than men because of their body fat. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third generation women Ama free divers, well into their 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. Shore diving for shellfish. The women are considered better divers than men because of their body fat. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. On the boat for their dive, they wear white hoods for good luck, symbolic of the Ama divers. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. On the boat for their dive, they wear white hoods for good luck, symbolic of the Ama divers. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama free divers, well into their 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. While the women are out free diving, the husband drives the boat and the grandaughter and grandson help haul up the seaweed catch. The women are considered better diver because of their body fat. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama free divers, well into their 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. While the women are out free diving, the husband drives the boat and the grandaughter and grandson help haul up the seaweed catch. The women are considered better diver because of their body fat. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone shellfish. These woman are well into her seventies and still dives for a living. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third generation women Ama free divers, well into their 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. Shore diving for shellfish. The women are considered better divers than men because of their body fat. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third generation women Ama free divers, well into their 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. Shore diving for shellfish. The women are considered better divers than men because of their body fat. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone shellfish. These woman are well into her seventies and still dives for a living. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone shellfish. These woman are well into her seventies and still dives for a living. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third generation women Ama free divers, well into their 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. Shore diving for shellfish. The women are considered better divers than men because of their body fat. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third generation women Ama free divers, well into their 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. Shore diving for shellfish. The women are considered better divers than men because of their body fat. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama free divers, well into their 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. While the women are out free diving, the husband drives the boat and the grandchildren help haul up the seaweed catch. The women are considered better diver because of their body fat. Arriving at the docks with the haul of seaweed. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama free diver, well into her 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. She runs a small Ama hut restuarant, Ama Hut Ozegosan, and cooks fresh seafood for guests. Model released.
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama free diver, well into her 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. She runs a small Ama hut restuarant, Ama Hut Ozegosan, and cooks fresh seafood for guests. Model released.
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama free diver, well into her 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. She runs a small Ama hut restuarant, Ama Hut Ozegosan, and cooks fresh seafood for guests. The white hood with the star is an Ama symbol and worn for good luck. Model released.
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Ijika, Toba City. A twenty-nine year old Ama free diver on her motorcycle. She is one of the few young women training in this profession. Most of the Ama free divers are well into their 70's and it is an ancient but dying tradition. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. The women are considered better diver because of their body fat. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Ijika, Toba City. A twenty-nine year old Ama free...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. In the early morning hours the women apply oil and warm themselves themselves by the fire in the warming hut to prepare for the days dive. This diving is a 2000 year old tradition, they are third generation divers and all these women are well into their 70's. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. In the early morning hours the women apply oil and warm themselves themselves by the fire in the warming hut to prepare for the days dive. This diving is a 2000 year old tradition, they are third generation divers and all these women are well into their 70's. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. In the early morning hours the women apply oil and warm themselves themselves by the fire in the warming hut to prepare for the days dive. This diving is a 2000 year old tradition, they are third generation divers and all these women are well into their 70's. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. In the early morning hours the women apply oil and warm themselves themselves by the fire in the warming hut to prepare for the days dive. This diving is a 2000 year old tradition, they are third generation divers and all these women are well into their 70's. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. In the early morning hours the women apply oil and warm themselves themselves by the fire in the warming hut to prepare for the days dive. This diving is a 2000 year old tradition, they are third generation divers and all these women are well into their 70's. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. In the early morning hours the women apply oil and warm themselves themselves by the fire in the warming hut to prepare for the days dive. This diving is a 2000 year old tradition, they are third generation divers and all these women are well into their 70's. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. In the early morning hours the women apply oil and warm themselves themselves by the fire in the warming hut to prepare for the days dive. This diving is a 2000 year old tradition, they are third generation divers and all these women are well into their 70's. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. In the early morning hours the women apply oil and warm themselves themselves by the fire in the warming hut to prepare for the days dive. This diving is a 2000 year old tradition, they are third generation divers and all these women are well into their 70's. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. In the early morning hours the women apply oil and warm themselves themselves by the fire in the warming hut to prepare for the days dive. This diving is a 2000 year old tradition, they are third generation divers and all these women are well into their 70's. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. Approaching the beach for their dive, they wear white hoods for good luck, symbolic of the Ama divers. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama free divers, well into their 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. While the women are out free diving, the husband drives the boat and the grandaughter and grandson help haul up the seaweed catch. The women are considered better diver because of their body fat. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama free divers, well into their 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. While the women are out free diving, the husband drives the boat and the grandaughter and grandson help haul up the seaweed catch. The women are considered better diver because of their body fat. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama free divers, well into their 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. While the women are out free diving, the husband drives the boat and the grandaughter and grandson help haul up the seaweed catch. The women are considered better diver because of their body fat. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama free divers, well into their 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. While the women are out free diving, the husband drives the boat and the grandaughter and grandson help haul up the seaweed catch. The women are considered better diver because of their body fat. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. The women divers out in the ocean free diving for seaweed and shellfish. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third generation women Ama free divers, well into their 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. Shore diving for shellfish. The women are considered better divers because of their body fat. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third generation women Ama free divers, well into their 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. Shore diving for shellfish. The women are considered better divers because of their body fat. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Family of Ama divers. Third...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama free diver, well into her 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. She runs a small Ama hut restuarant, Ama Hut Ozegosan, and cooks fresh seafood for guests. Model released.
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama free diver, well into her 70's. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. She runs a small Ama hut restuarant, Ama Hut Ozegosan, and cooks fresh seafood for guests. The white hood with the star is an Ama symbol and worn for good luck. Model released.
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Third generation women Ama...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. In the early morning hours the women apply oil and warm themselves themselves by the fire in the warming hut to prepare for the days dive. This diving is a 2000 year old tradition, they are third generation divers and all these women are well into their 70's. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, abalone, shellfish. In the early morning hours the women apply oil and warm themselves themselves by the fire in the warming hut to prepare for the days dive. This diving is a 2000 year old tradition, they are third generation divers and all these women are well into their 70's. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. Approaching the beach for their dive, they wear white hoods for good luck, symbolic of the Ama divers. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. Approaching the beach for their dive, they wear white hoods for good luck, symbolic of the Ama divers. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. On the boat for their dive, they wear white hoods for good luck, symbolic of the Ama divers. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
  • Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once pearl divers, they now collect seaweed, conch, lobster, shellfish. On the boat for their dive, they wear white hoods for good luck, symbolic of the Ama divers. Model released
    Japan, Mie Prefecture, Osatsu, Toba City. Women Ama free divers. Once...
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