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Gyotaku
By Arden Miller, CZM
Pronounced "gee-oh-tah-koo," gyotaku is Japanese for fish ("gyo") rubbing ("taku"). As far back as 1862, Japanese fishermen would record their catch by covering the fish with sumi ink and pressing it onto rice paper. When an exceptional fish was caught, its weight, type, and the location of the catch were recorded under the print. Fish, a staple of the Japanese diet, were revered and many poems were written in their honor. Often, the poems and gyotaku were hung in the fishermen's shops. These pieces were admired by non-fishermen and believed to symbolize prosperity and health and people began hanging them as artwork in their homes. Well-to-do citizens commissioned them and what began as a practical way to record details became prized works of art.
To make your own gyotaku, you will need a fresh or rubber fish. For a more diverse marine habitat, you can add other sea life replicas (e.g. seahorse, seaweed). So, select the type of gyotaku you would like to make, and follow the directions to create a unique piece of art work!
Rubber Fish
(You'll Need)
- rubber fish and any other rubber sea life that you would like included (the more details, the better)
- thick water-soluble ink (linoleum block print, speedball)
- paint brushes (one that's ½ to 1-inch thick, and a small watercolor brush for painting the eyeball)
- newspaper
- paper (use a heavy weight white or off-white for best results)
- Cover your work surface with several layers of newspaper.
- Brush a thin coat of ink on one side of the fish in both directions.
- Slide the top layer of newspaper out so that the surface under the painted fish is clean.
- Place a piece of paper several inches above the fish and carefully drop the paper (don't move it once it's on top of the fish or it will smudge).
- Gently rub—don't press!—all parts of the fish (it's helpful to have a second person holding the fish's head so that nothing moves and smudges during the rubbing).
- Carefully peel off the paper, allow to dry, and repeat with any other sea life (e.g., starfish, seahorses) that you'd like included in your art work.
- With a small brush, paint in the eyeball and add any other embellishments (you could paint seaweed, for example) for a more modern take on an old form of art.
Real Fish
(You'll Need)
ITEMS LISTED ABOVE OTHER THAN "RUBBER FISH," PLUS:
- a fresh fish (less than 24 hours old, or a previously frozen thawed fish)
- modeling clay (to shape the tail and fins)
- small piece of cotton (optional to cover fish eye—see step 4)
- a lemon
- paper towels
- Squeeze lemon juice over the fish and gently wipe with paper towel to remove any slime.
- Place pieces of modeling clay under the fish fins for support and arrange to look natural.
- If the fish has been gutted, stuff the insides with paper towel so that the belly is full. If still intact, put a small piece of paper towel in the fish's mouth and vent so the insides won't leak.
- Remove the eye or cover it with a small piece of cotton.
- Let the fish dry completely (you can use a hair dryer to speed the process up).
- Cover your work surface with several layers of newspaper.
- Brush a thin coat of ink on one side of the fish in both directions (to ensure the most detailed print).
- Use the small brush to coat the fish's lips and the tips of the fins and tail (leave the eye blank—this will be painted in later).
- Carefully remove the clay and add extra newspaper under the fins to support them.
- Slide the top layer of newspaper out so that the surface under the fish is dry and clean.
- Follow steps 4 - 7 on left.
Note: A fish can be used more than once for a print; just clean with lemon juice between printings (if you're using different colors, begin with the lightest colored paint).
If you can't catch your own fish and don't have access to a fresh fish market, fish of all kinds and sizes can be purchased (whole) in the frozen seafood section of most grocery stores. Rubber fish can sometimes be found in toy stores, craft stores, or places that sell gag gifts, or you can order them on line at www.enasco.com. The other supplies you need—paint, brushes, modeling clay—are available at arts & crafts stores.
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Boston, MA 02114