Pop Japan

The ama is the the Nihongo term for the women peal divers of Japan. They are called uminchu in Okinawa and kaito in the Isu Peninsula. The word actually means "sea woman."

The ama practice in Japan has been varied, depending on the region in Japan. Traditionally, and even up to the present, women pearl divers only wear loincloths when gathering peals. Up to the present, these ama divers have not used any scuba diving gear or air tanks, hailing them as the true free divers of Japan. In some prefectures, the amas may wear masks, fins and wetsuits. Traditionally, amas not only dive for pearls but also for food items like seaweed and shellfish like oysters. In lucky days, they may even catch some lobster and octopus along the way. 

Tags: tradition, ama, nihongo, women pearl diver, japan, okinawa, uminchu, kaito, isu peninsula, sea woman, loincloths