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c0lo [soylentnews.org] writes:

The Guardian reports [theguardian.com] on Megumi Igarashi [wikipedia.org]:

A Japanese artist who made a kayak modelled on her vagina has been found guilty of breaking the country’s obscenity laws, in a case that has invited widespread ridicule of attitudes towards images of female genitalia.

Megumi Igarashi, who works under the pseudonym Rokudenashiko – or good-for-nothing girl – was arrested in July 2014 after she distributed data that enabled recipients to make 3D prints of her vagina.

The 44-year-old was fined 400,000 yen (£2,575), half the penalty demanded by prosecutors, at the Tokyo district court on Monday after she was convicted of distributing “obscene” images. She was cleared of another charge of displaying similar material.

Igarashi distributed the data to help raise funds to create a kayak inspired by her genitalia she called “pussy boat”.

The judge, Mihoko Tanabe, said that the data, though “flat and inorganic”, realistically portrayed the shape of a vagina and could “sexually arouse viewers”, according to Kyodo News.

Igarashi was cleared, however, of another charge relating to the display of plaster versions of the kayak at a shop selling adult goods in Tokyo. Tanabe said the kayak did not obviously resemble female genitalia and could not be considered obscene.

ABC (Australia) brings in other details:

Megumi Igarashi's vagina figurines are art, not obscenity, Japanese court rules
The Tokyo court dismissed prosecutors' charge that Megumi Igarashi, who works under the name "Rokudenashiko" (which translates to "good-for-nothing girl"), had displayed obscene objects, saying her figurines decorated with fake fur and glitter could be considered "pop art".
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The court found her guilty for distributing digital data of indecent material and fined her 400,000 yen ($5,000).

"I am of course indignant," Ms Igarashi told a news conference, where she displayed several pink vagina figurines.

"I'll fight until the end ... I will appeal and continue to fight in court."

"I've been working to change the concept of obscenity, which is usually seen from the perspective of men — I'm mortified the judge didn't understand that," Ms Igarashi said of the judge, who is female.
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Ms Igarashi's arrest and detention triggered a debate about women's rights and artistic freedom in Japan.
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Although Japan has an extensive pornography industry, it is regulated by a section of the criminal code that dates back to 1907.
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While depictions of female genitalia remain largely taboo, representations of male genitalia are shown at shrines and at some festivals, where giant phalluses are paraded openly through the streets as symbols of fertility and sexual health.

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