We probably all know a fisherman and we probably all know an artist. But how many people are both?
The Japanese were early birds in figuring out how to document their worthy catches. (No iPhones in the 1800s.)
Fishermen smeared their fish with sumi ink – solid sticks made from vegetable soot and animal glue – then ground it against an ink stone. They pressed that onto washi paper handcrafted from inner bark fiber of the mulberry tree, and voila! A fish print.
The method is called gyotaku and is now an international art phenomenon.
All you have to do is catch a fish, remove the slime, plug its openings, dry the fish, layer on the ink, rub it on washi paper and do it all accurately and quickly.
Who seems to prefer gyotaku to other art forms?
Children. To them, it’s unusual and quite personal. Children not only learn something their parents don’t know how to do, they’re captivated by the life cycle and its awkward, creative permanence.