What is Gyotaku Art?
Feb 15th 2014
What is Gyotaku Art?
Gyotaku is a Japanese art form that involves printing fish, or other marine life, onto paper or fabric. The process involves taking a fresh fish and covering it with ink or paint, then pressing it onto a surface such as paper or fabric to create a detailed, realistic impression of the fish. Gyotaku literally means "fish rubbing" in Japanese.
The origins of gyotaku can be traced back to the 1800s, when fishermen in Japan used the technique to record the size and species of their catch. Today, gyotaku has evolved into a form of artistic expression, with many artists creating beautiful and intricate prints of fish and other marine life.
Gyotaku is typically created using water-based inks or paints, which are applied to the fish using brushes or rollers. The fish is then carefully pressed onto a surface such as paper or fabric, creating a print of the fish. I personally use fabric to create my original prints.
Watch my process!