What is Gyotaku?

Gyotaku (gee-yo-tah’-koo) is a Japanese art form traditionally used by fishermen to record the details of their catch. Gyotaku means, Fish Impression.

There are two different Gyotaku techniques an artist can use.  In both the ACTUAL FISH is used to print an impression onto paper or fabric. 

In the traditional technique, called the DIRECT Gyotaku method, the artist applies paint to the surface of the fish.  The fish is then covered with the fabric or paper and carefully pressed to produce an image. 

In the INDIRECT method, fabric is pasted onto the fish using rice paste and the artist applies paint to the fabric rather than the fish.  Each technique yields a different style of painting but both are meant to result in a striking and sensitive representation of the subject.

Using these methods of printing, no two Gyotaku paintings are the same and none are perfect- yet they present an honorable, dramatic and artistic memory of the fish.

             Summer Flounder - Indirect Method                    Summer flounder - Direct Method

A Jaxsfish Gyotaku original is made using the finest oil and water based paints. All originals are printed on hi-quality Japanese papers. The materials are acid free and fade resistant and are meant to last.