Gone for Pearls is a tribute to Japanese ‘Ama’, female freedivers whose tradition and technique date back to ancient times and have been disappearing with the modern fishing industry. I first searched about their culture two years ago out of fascination for their diving technique and dedication to their tradition beyond their survival needs. I discovered a way of life in harmony with time and nature’s rhythm, a quite inspiring human/environment balanced relationship since thousand year.

The notes I took during these researches turned into this tribute to 海女, these ‘women of the sea’.

Translation to Japanese: Tomoko Oono




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