Nude Japan Woman Ama Pearl Divers / Pearl Diving Mermaids 10.5 x 14" B&W

Description

LISTING IS FOR AN ORIGINAL VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPH, NOT A REPRODUCTION!!!
One of the lesser-known but fascinating parts of Japanese culture is that of the Ama pearl divers. Ama (海女 in Japanese), literally means ‘woman of the sea’ and is recorded as early as 750 in the oldest Japanese anthology of poetry, the
Man’yoshu
. These women specialised in freediving some 30 feet down into cold water wearing nothing more than a loincloth. Utilising special techniques to hold their breath for up to 2 minutes at a time, they would work for up to 4 hours a day in order to gather abalone, seaweed and other shellfish.
Origin:
Japan
Size:
10.5 by 14 inches
Age:
vintage
Condition:
very good has a small indent on right side see last two photos showing front and back of photo.
Stored in a non-smoking and pet free environment.