FISH PRINTING

Gyotaku (pronounced ghee-oh-tah-koo), the Japanese art of fish printing originated in Japan over 100 years ago as a way of recording trophy catches prior to the modern day camera. Today Gyotaku has become a popular art form enjoyed by many, and the prints are said to bring good luck to fishermen. There are two methods used in Gyotaku art * the direct method (Chokusetsu-ho), and the indirect method (Kansetsu-ho). I use the direct method, in which non-toxic waterbase inks are applied directly onto the side of a real fish, then rice paper or fabric is carefully pressed on to the fish, and when lifted, a detailed mirror-image fishprint is revealed. Each print is a one-of-a-kind-original. Being a die-hard fisherman, who also had an appreciation of art, Gyotaku seemed to me to be the perfect combination of fisheries and art.