It is true that Japan Kasumi pearls now owe much of their popularity, no matter the admirer's opinion, to their Lake Biwa predecessors. As with any cultured pearl though, it is the farmer (and the animals) who should take the praise for the the pearls exsistence. In this case much praise is due, considering the years spent trying to revive Lake Kasumi, and hybrid an animal to grow in it. In my time, I have seen very few pearls from Lake Biwa that compared with the rich colors we can find today in pearls from Lake Kasumi.