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Pearl Divers Disgruntled Over Regional Mascot

Pearl harvesting is an ancient Japanese tradition that is predominantly performed by female pearl divers called ama. It is mostly practiced in the Ise Peninsula, which is proud of the tradition and eager to promote it, especially to foreigners and the young generation. But its methods are gathering opposition from the very group it is meant to support.

The city of Shima opted to design a moe pearl diver mascot character, in keeping with other cities and prefectures across Japan. The design firm Mouth Beach unveiled the character design last November and selected her name, Megu Aoshima, from about 2,000 suggestions. Shima is using Aoshima in public relations campaigns to promote regional tourism.

Yet pearl divers themselves are generally unhappy with the character, citing her bare legs and pronounced breasts and complaining that the design "denigrates women." One claimed that Aoshima "makes a fool out of pearl divers." Pearl diver Fumiko Yamamoto and her daughter, Isako Utsubo, say they were shocked when they first saw the character. "We're unnerved that a poster can only appeal [to an audience] with young women's bodies." Mindful that the upcoming G7 diplomatic summit will bring foreign dignitaries to Shima, they are circulating a petition to withdraw official recognition of Aoshima and stop the campaign ("We don't want foreigners to only think of pearl divers in this way"). Their petition has so far gathered 170 signatures, and will be presented to Shima's mayor and municipal assembly on August 13.

Actual pearl divers

Shima's tourism strategy committee claims that it is making changes to Aoshima's design, but has no intention of withdrawing recognition. Mouth Beach's Yoshihiro Hamaguchi points out their target audience — foreigners and the young — have received Aoshima positively. Her Twitter and Facebook pages have over 2,800 followers, about 15,000 LINE stamps featuring Aoshima have been sold in two weeks to customers in ten countries, and reaction in public surveys has mostly been appreciative. One pearl diver commented that "she's fictional, so I don't think it's worth getting angry about."

Aoshima is now often paired with Mai Igarashi, a female ninja representing the nearby city of Iga and its ninjutsu heritage who was unveiled in June. The latest promotional poster featuring Kashiko Island, where the G-7 summit will be convened, carefully crops out Aoshima's legs.

[Via Yomiuri Online; Images from Megu Aoshima official site, dot. and Maribon]