Gyotaku: The ancient Japanese art of printing fish - K. Erica Dodge
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How did fishermen record their trophy catches before the invention of photography? In 19th century Japan, fishing boats were equipped with rice paper, sumi-e ink, and brushes in order to create gyotaku: elaborate rubbings of freshly caught fish. K. Erica Dodge recounts the story of this competitive fishing culture, plus some tips on how to make your very own etchings.
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Meet The Creators
- Animator Eduardo Sandoval
- Director Franco Barroeta Fonseca
- Educator K. Erica Dodge
- Sound Designer Luis Orlando Ruiz
- Narrator Michelle Snow

by TED-Ed
What do you think about gyotaku?
Why do you think it was popular? Do you enjoy it? Are there other things like gyotaku that you enjoy more?
Comments are closed on this discussion.
AIDEN WOOD
Lesson completed
I think it's popular because it's Japanese art. I like it because it looks cool. I think it looks cool the way it is.
CHRISTOPHER VILLEGAS
Lesson in progress
i think gyotaku is cool because i think its cool that the Japanese made their own way to fish
ISABELLA GONZALEZ
Lesson completed
It's a unique type of art style, I didn't enjoy it very much because fish don't interest me but I like the colors.
ARIELLE MEDINA
Lesson in progress
i think it be fun to try but without a fish I hate fish
ALEJANDRO RAMIREZ
Lesson in progress
it's intresting
NATALIA ARZOLA
Lesson completed
Gyotaku is a beautiful art with an interesting history and people also thought so, so they liked the form of the art
JOAQUIN CALIXTO
Lesson completed
its ok
LOGAN HIGGS
Lesson completed
it's cool and I like the way to say it
LEA NIYONIZIMA
Lesson completed
I love it's so cool gyotaku is an interesting art technique
SHALOM FAMILUSI
Lesson completed
So cool! Because it was watercolor.