The Legend of Princess Tamatori (Tamatorihime), or Ama, is based around the historical figure Fujiwara no Kamatari (614-649), who was the founder of the powerful Fujiwara clan. Upon Kamatari’s death, the Tang Dynasty emperor, who had received Kamatari’s beautiful daughter as a consort, sent three priceless treasures to Japan in order to comfort his grieving lover by honoring her father.  One of these treasures, a pearl, was stolen by the Dragon King in a storm on its way to Japan in the inlet of Fusazaki.  Kamatari’s son Fujiwara no Fuhito (659-720) went in search of the pearl to the isolated area where he met and married a beautiful pearl diver named Ama, who bore him a son. Ama, full of love for their son, vowed to help recover the stolen pearl. After many failed attempts, Ama was finally successful when the dragon and grotesque creatures guarding it were lulled to sleep by music.  Upon reclaiming the treasure, she came under pursuit by the awakened sea creatures.  She cut open her breast to place the pearl in for safekeeping; the resulting blood clouded the water and aided in her escape. She died from the resulting wound but is revered for her selfless act of sacrifice for her husband Fuhito and their son.

Artists Inspiration - “My influence came from revered Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai through his inspirational Shunga print titled ‘The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife - 1814’ depicting two octopuses making love to a Japanese ama diver.  This unique woodblock print spurred a culture within Japanese society known as tentacle erotica. Having spent a great deal of time in Japan, I was fascinated by the concept and how popular it is within Japanese sexual fantasy.  I wanted to create a sculpture that would capture the cultural value of this famous print and its alluring popularity.  My concept was to create elements within the sculpture directly reflective of Hokusai’s work.  The large octopus in Hokusai’s print is represented at the head of the sculpture, the coral shaft represents the fossilized remains of the ama diver and the pearls are her catch.  The tip represents the small octopus while the diamond eyes in the large octopus represent the jewels of the feared Sea Dragon.  

According to a popular Japanese story, Princess Tamatori the original ama diver would help her husband steal back a priceless pearl. Tamatori dives down to Ryūjin's undersea palace of Ryūgū-jō, and is pursued by the sea dragon god and his army of sea creatures, including octopuses. She cuts open her breast to place the pearl in for safekeeping; the resulting blood clouded the water and aided in her escape. She died from the resulting wound but is revered for her selfless act of sacrifice for her husband Fuhito and their son. The Octopuses are among the Sea Dragons protectors and their sexual liaison with the ama diver in Hokusai’s work was interpreted in Edo times as consensual, however it was often depicted differently by western art collectors.