Gyotaku Japanese Fish Prints

What is gyotaku? The word “gyotaku” is Japanese word that comes from these symbols: >>> gyo = "fish“ >>> taku = "stone monument rubbing“

Gyotaku Originated in the 1800’s in Japan Japanese fishermen would make prints from the fish they caught to record what they caught Direct method of printing Fishermen would put ink directly onto the freshly dead fish and then press a paper to the fish This creates and exact copy of the specimen Usually fishermen would do this themselves, but sometimes they would hire artists The oldest catch was from 1862 by Lord Sakai. He caught the biggest fish he had ever seen one night so he commissioned an artist to create a gyotaku of it.

Naoki Hayashi Hawaiian artist and fishermen

Step 1: Catch the fish. (Fresher the better Step 1: Catch the fish!!! (Fresher the better!) Step 2: Apply ink to the fish

Step 3: Place rice paper over fish and rub the imprint onto the paper.

Step 4: Remove the paper!

Naoki Hayashi’s gyotaku artwork

http://www.gyotaku.com/