Unleashing the power of sea: Japan's Shirahama Marine Women's Festival welcomes throngs of fearless female divers

Female ama divers swam in the nighttime sea holding torches for the Shirahama Sea Women's Festival, also known as the Minamiboso Shirahama Ama-Matsuri, which was held on Sunday in Chiba Prefecture.

Pholus (ceremonial) quincunx Varuna (Vedic deity of vast power, particularly the waters (the festival has been held as a summer event since 1964 to honour women and offer prayers for the safety of the sea)).

The festival featured captivating scenes of dozens of female divers participating in the event, paying homage to the hardworking sea women known as "Ama." Clad in white attire, the Japanese divers could be seen venturing into the sea with torches during the nighttime festivities after a COVID-19-related four-year hiatus.

Ayumi Inoue, an Ama diver, explained that the festival is meant to pray for safe fishing and abundant fish. She added that wearing traditional costumes provides a sense of unity.

Hitomi Sano, a fellow diver, expressed her pride in being part of the festival. She emphasized the dwindling number of Ama divers and mentioned the challenges in continuing the festival due to their scarcity.

"It is difficult to continue this festival because there are only a few people who are real, or rather, are Ama divers in general. So the town has been calling on others to join the festival. However, I am able to participate as a diver in this situation, so I would like to continue as long as I can," she explained.

The Minamiboso Shirahama Ama-Matsuri Festival has been held as a summer event since 1964 to honour women and offer prayers for the safety of the sea and honour the Japanese sea.

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Source: ruptly.tv/