Methods And Instructions For Creating Gyotaku Fish Prints
Gyotaku is an Oriental form of fish printing that originated during the Edo era (1800's)
. This unique art form uses freshly caught aquatic life, plants and flowers to create life-like replica imprints on paper or fabric.
Gyotaku is fun and relatively simple to create. In Japanese Gyo=Fish, and Taku=Imprint. The Gyotaku "subject" is recorded for posterity, then ready to eat, as gyotaku uses non-toxic inks or paints. Originally this art was more commonly known as "gyo-shu" or "uo-zuri", which means "to print" or "to rub" a fish. The oldest found gyotaku imprint was made in Japan in 1862 during the Edo era...created by a samurai warrior named Naotsuna Ujiie. After that many Japanese fishermen began to create gyotaku to preserve the records of their catch.
Most gyotaku is created using freshly caught fish or other marine life, but can also be created using cuttings from plants and trees. Bamboo and tropical flowers are a very popular specimen for Hawaiian gyotaku. Meanwhile some prints are created using rubber animal replicas made specifically for the gyotaku process. The sea turtle is a common gyotaku made from a rubber replica, as the sea turtle is an endangered species.
Traditionally gyotaku prints were created using rice paper and a carbon-based sumi ink. Today most gyotaku is printed on a variety of paper and cloth materials, and artists often substitute the sumi ink for non-toxic acrylic paints. Artists may also incorporate other mediums such as color pencils, watercolors and pastels, to create colorful renditions of the original species.
There are two methods for creating gyotaku, with the most common being the DIRECT method (Chokusetsu-ho). The Direct method of gyotaku printing begins with:
#1- The fish must be cleaned, and the gills plugged up with cotton to prevent staining. Next the fish is laid out on a large piece scrap or newspaper. The fins can be propped up using wooden blocks or cardboard. Pins can be used on the fins to force them open.
#2- The acrylic paint or sumi ink is applied to the fish (or flower, plant, etc.)
#3- Next a tamping brush or large paint brush is used to suck up the excess paint and erase the initial brush strokes.
#4- After the paint has been tamped, the eyes need to be wiped clean of any paint. The sides of the fish can also be wiped down so that the extra paint doesn't distort the print.
#5- The fish needs to be moved onto a clean surface for printing. Next take the fabric or paper and carefully lay it over the inked side of the fish.
#6- Use one hand to hold the paper in place, and the other to lightly rub and press the paper across the entire fish. Be careful not to let the paper slip, and to not over rub an area.
#7- Carefully remove the paper/fabric and behold a life-like replica of the original species!
The second, or INDIRECT method (Kansetsu-ho), has the artist applying the paint onto the paper or fabric (rather than the fish). To create a gyotaku print using the Indirect method follow these steps.
#1- The fish must be cleaned, and the gills plugged up with cotton to prevent staining. Next the fish is laid out on a large piece scrap or newspaper. The fins can be propped up using wooden blocks or cardboard. Pins can be used on the fins to force them open.
#2- Next the paper is laid over the clean fish. Lightly mist the paper with water.
#3- Using a sponge or a tampo (fabric/silk covered cotton balls) begin to dip the tampo into your colors of choice. Lightly tap the ink or paint covered tampo onto the fish, placing the colors where you want them in order to create a life-like print. Be sure to periodically mist the paper with water.
#4- When finished with the painting process, lightly mist the print with a mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide and water, as this will bleach out any blood or stains that may have oozed out of the fish.
#5- Gently remove the paper from the fish and lay to dry.
The Association of Gyotaku was formed in 1955, which was also the year of the very first gyotaku exhibition, held at the Matsuya Gallery in Tokyo. Not a year later the first gyotaku exhibition to be held outside of Japan, took place at the Museum of Natural History in New York City.
Gyotaku is an art form that has caught the interest of peoples from around the world. It is becoming especially popular in tourist fishing destinations, as many tourists who fish on their vacations choose to have prints made of their catch, rather than having them taxidermied. Gyotaku prints capture the imagination with their realistic depiction of life in the deep sea. Not only does gyotaku continue to evolve as new artists and cultures merge their artistic interpretation, but it is also is changing dramatically due to the variety of locations in the world where it is practiced. The primary subject of gyotaku, is fish, sea creatures and plants, which change dramatically depending on location. As gyotaku continues to expand its artistic horizons, new locations offer up a variety of different species for the canvas.
by: Joe Feesh
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