Ama Divers of Shima: Notes on Filming a Documentary in Japan
Michael Dylan Foster,
Professor, Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, Affiliated Faculty, GREL
In several coastal regions of Japan, women known as Ama have long made a living diving for shellfish and seaweed. Famous for their stamina and athleticism, the Ama dive without breathing equipment; in the dark, cold waters, their work is notoriously risky. During the summer of 2023, I worked with a Japanese production crew to film a TV documentary with Ama, specifically focusing on a local belief about a dangerous spectral figure they might encounter under the water. In this presentation, I briefly introduce the Ama community and the on-the-ground experience of making the documentary, followed by a screening of the video (28 mins).
Lunch served, all are welcome
Tuesday, April 15
12:00 - 1:00pm
Sproul 912
