Skip to main content

Japanese artist indicted for trying to 3D-print her vagina into a usable Kayak

Update on December 26, 2014:
Recommended Videos
Japanese artist Megumi Igarashi has been indicted on charges of distributing obscene data, NPR reports (via Japan Times), after having been arrested twice for her 3D-printed art project – a kayak with a representation of her vagina. If convicted, Igarashi could face a fine of $20,755 and possibly two years in jail. Igarashi has pleaded not guilty, and supporters feel she has been a victim of “flawed” Japanese laws that are harsh on women.

Original story: Japan is a nation that embraces the cutting-edge, but it’s also a highly traditional and conservative country, especially when it comes to sex and pornography in the media. And it is because of its obscenity laws that a Japanese artist has found herself in hot water. The New York Observer’s Betabeat (via The Guardian) reports that Megumi Igarashi is being held by authorities for attempting to 3D-print a kayak based on her vagina.

The kayak that is offending Japanese sensibilities.
The kayak that is offending Japanese sensibilities. Image used with permission by copyright holder

Igarashi has, in the past, created art that’s modeled on her genitalia. She considers herself a “deco-man,” or “decorated vagina,” artist. “I make art pieces with my mold p***y, which I would rather call Manko (MK),” Igarashi says. But her Campfire crowdfunding attempt to create her “Manko boat” – or, as Igarashi calls it, “the world’s first 3D scanned ‘Peach on the Beach’” – however, is now seen as a criminal activity.

The artist told authorities that she hasn’t actually committed any wrongdoing. In fact, Igarashi hasn’t actually shown any graphic imagery of herself; she is simply distributing code of a 3D scan she made of her genitalia, according to the Japan Times. Before, Igarashi would create molds of her lady part; the digital scan, however, might be what’s crossing the line.

Although Igarashi is reportedly still under arrest, the artist is most likely not surprised by the reaction. On her crowdfunding page, she acknowledges that in Japan, talking about or showing human genitalia – female vagina, in particular – is taboo (even in Japanese pornography, private parts cannot be shown). She decided, as an artist, she would start the conversation by creating her deco-man pieces, and perhaps bring a change to Japanese society – or at least make it more acceptable to talk about it.

Check out Igarashi’s Campfire page and video below for some “interesting” Manga-inspired illustrations.

(Via Betabeat; images via Megumi Igarashi)

(This article was originally published on July 15, 2014.)

Les Shu
Former Digital Trends Contributor
I am formerly a senior editor at Digital Trends. I bring with me more than a decade of tech and lifestyle journalism…
The best camera phones in 2024: our top 9 photography picks
A person holding the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

In the past decade or so, cameras on smartphones have evolved so much that they can pretty much replace a standalone digital camera for most people. The results you can get on some of the best smartphones these days are just so impressive, and being able to be with you at all times means you'll never miss a moment.

But what if you want the best possible camera phone money can buy? A camera that won't let you down no matter what you're taking a picture of? You've come to the right place. Here are the very best camera phones you can buy in 2024.

Read more
An ace photographer is about to leave the ISS. Here are his best shots
The moon and Earth as seen from the ISS.

NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick is preparing to return to Earth after spending seven months living and working aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

After arriving at the orbital outpost, Dominick -- who is on his first mission to space -- quickly earned a reputation for being an ace photographer. He's been using the facility’s plethora of high-end cameras and lenses to capture amazing shots from his unique vantage point some 250 miles above Earth. Sharing his content on social media, the American astronaut has always been happy to reveal how he captured the imagery and offer extra insight for folks interested to know more.

Read more
Filter-free and fun, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera is on sale Right Now for Prime Day
fujifilm instax mini 11 camera prime big deal days

It's 2024, and you’re considering a point-and-shoot camera. Zero judgment here. I miss the good ol’ days of flipping through actual photo albums instead of doom-scrolling on Instagram. You can get back to those days by snagging a (in the ice white color), and it’s the perfect time because it’s on sale. Get it for 24% off during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, but hurry while inventory is going strong.
There’s something magical about having a physical photo right in your hand seconds after snapping the shot, and it adds a fun, retro vibe to moments you want to capture and keep. Plus, having an actual picture to hold and display can be so much more satisfying than just another digital file on your phone. I picked one up two years ago for my eight-year-old daughter, and it’s been an instant hit in our household. And now, at its $59 sale price, I'm definitely going to be stocking up on a few to gift ahead of the holiday season.

How the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 works
The delightful throwback comes with a FUJINON 60mm lens and an automatic exposure feature that adjusts the shutter speed for the best shot, even in low light. While the picture quality won’t be as crisp as what your smartphone can capture, it’ll still produce a quality image worthy of slapping on a refrigerator.
If selfies are your thing, this camera has a dedicated Selfie Mode (with a mirror). We set up a DIY photo booth for my daughter's birthday party with sticker frames so each kid could go home with a photo souvenir, and it was a total hit.
You can opt to make it a set with a range of accessories to buy separately, like a carrying case, a handy strap, those sticker borders I mentioned, and photo albums to hold the memories.

Read more