The pearl fishers

Recently I found some lovely pictures of Japanese ama, via even*cleveland, via ? (oops, I can't remember).

I like the romantic notion of these beautiful 'women of the sea', although I know in reality their lives were not easy.

More here. All images copyright of the Iwase Yoshiyuki Estate.

I also remember seeing an ama-themed exhibition by Kosyndan at Outre Gallery a year or two ago .... Here are a few of their lovely prints:

(.... and of course, these are also copyright of the artists. You can buy their work via Etsy).