Buzz
In recent years, the number of Ama has declined significantly as the younger generation leaves to pursue careers in major cities. The Ise-Shima Peninsula, in the southern part of Mie Prefecture, remains one of the best places to learn about this ancient tradition.
Despite being only a few hours by train from modern mega-cities like Osaka and Nagoya, Ise-Shima retains its pristine, rustic beauty: a peninsula with forested shores, fishing villages, and small green islands in the Pacific Ocean.
With its rare tranquil beauty, Ise-Shima attracts over 6 million pilgrims and tourists annually to visit the sacred Ise Jingu Shrine. Nature enthusiasts also come here to 'rejuvenate the spirit' in the Ise-Shima National Park.
Image of Ise-Shima National Park
Most notably, Ise-Shima is considered the last 'great stronghold' of about 600 female divers. They are collectively referred to as Ama - a Japanese term meaning sea women or women of the sea.
Women of the Sea
Ama is a term referring to Japanese women who engage in free diving. This is a long-standing profession steeped in tradition. Ama - likened to the mermaids of Japan - can dive to depths of 10 meters, swim far from shore for kilometers without snorkels or fins... Many believe they can do this thanks to... the grace of the mermaid.
Since ancient times, Japanese women have lived scattered across the islands diving for abalone, clams, pearls, and seaweed to make a living. They employ special techniques, diving to depths of 30 meters and holding their breath for two minutes.
Legends of the Ama may date back 2,000 years. This profession once thrived throughout Japan. They dove into the sea to harvest seafood (supplying villages and the entire Ise-Shima region. Abalone was considered a precious offering to the gods at Shinto shrines. Such as the Ise Jingu Shrine.
Plunging into dark waters, gliding past coral reefs and kelp forests, Ama can hold their breath for quite some time. They wear diving suits, often white attire to protect themselves from the cold and - it is believed - to ward off hungry sharks. Japanese believe women are better suited for diving work than men because they have a thicker layer of fat on their bodies. This characteristic helps them stay underwater longer and catch seafood by hand more efficiently.
The female divers in Ise-Shima often wear Tenugui headscarves and carry white knitted hats embroidered with a star symbol called Seiman.
The Seiman symbol signifies women who have safely completed a diving journey. The hat also features an image of nine straight lines intertwined called Doman. It represents the fishing net. Doman is a protective charm for women to ward off demons and threats under the deep sea, such as sharks.
Female divers in Ise-Shima often wear Tenugui headscarves and carry white knitted hats embroidered with a star symbol called Seiman.
Carrying a 5kg wooden barrel, Ama dive to a depth of 10m to search for and harvest abalone, sea urchins, and other mollusks relying on experience, intuition while maneuvering through seaweed. They must perform a series of smooth and rhythmic movements because they can only hold their breath for about 50 seconds. This job requires a lot of physical fitness and strong willpower.
Due to the nature of the work, these 'women of the ocean' have very strong personalities and are more respected than men. 'My predecessors taught me about responsibility and consideration for others. When I think about these things, I am very happy to have become an Ama,' said Mitsuhashi Mayumi, who became an Ama at the age of 30.
The beautiful tradition gradually fading away
There are still many people practicing this diving profession to maintain a long-standing tradition. However, the number has drastically decreased, from 8,000 people after World War II to only 2,000 people at present.
Shuzo Kogure, an Ama expert, a researcher at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, says the history of Ama profession in Japan dates back thousands of years. Women in remote rural areas, without stable jobs, chose to become Ama to support their families.
They often learn basic diving knowledge from a young age. And then, skills and experience are passed down from generation to generation. However, nowadays, the younger generation is gradually leaving to pursue careers in major cities.
The only way to preserve the tradition is to find ways to increase income for Ama. Some elderly have bent backs due to age, saying that this job pays low, and is very dangerous.
If the work is not smooth, Ama can only earn about 2,000 yen (about 414,000 dong) per day, a figure too low for the risks to life.
Moreover, the decline in the quantity of a seaweed called Arame, the main food source of abalone, also reduces the harvest output of Ama.
Government regulations aimed at protecting marine biodiversity are also one of the factors affecting the income of Ama. Furthermore, they are directly affected by the fishing activities of boats.
Today, Ama not only dive into the sea, but they also offer tourist services at their traditional huts. Here, they serve freshly caught seafood from the depths of the sea, delightfully fresh and surprising.
Source: Compilation
