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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
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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.

Avatar for 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.


Avatar for CHRISTOPHER VILLEGAS
Lesson in progress

i think gyotaku is cool because i think its cool that the Japanese made their own way to fish


Avatar for 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.


Avatar for ARIELLE MEDINA
Lesson in progress

i think it be fun to try but without a fish I hate fish



Avatar for 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



Avatar for LOGAN HIGGS
Lesson completed

it's cool and I like the way to say it


Avatar for LEA NIYONIZIMA
Lesson completed

I love it's so cool gyotaku is an interesting art technique


Avatar for SHALOM FAMILUSI
Lesson completed

So cool! Because it was watercolor.

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