Japanese ‘vagina artist’ insists her work is not obscene
By Asian Correspondent Staff Apr 16, 2015A Japanese artist on trial for obscenity after distributing plans on how to build a kayak shaped like her vagina denied all charges Wednesday, saying her work is not obscene.
“Since my art works are not obscene, they are not a crime,” Megumi Igarashi told judges.
The 43-year-old was arrested last July before being released amid widespread public support. She was arrested again in December accused of distributing 3D printer data for the ‘vagina kayak’ model.
According to AFP, Igarashi, also known as Rokudenashiko (or Good For Nothing Girl), told reporters after the hearing: “I have been arguing that it is strange to single out one part of a human body that every woman has [and treat it as obscene].”
“Some people say my works are cheap and not even art, but that should not justify police moves to arrest me.”
While Japan is notoriously lenient in some aspects of its pornography industry, strict obscenity laws ban the depiction of genitalia. Igarashi could face up to two years in jail and/or a fine of up to 2.5 million yen (US$20,800).
Igarashi can be seen here speaking at a Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan event discussing the obscenity laws in detail:
