Ancient Art

Nittoh Guiofu: Gensen Kanda, on Japanese fish

Gyotaku is the art and technique of Japanese fish rubbing. The first Gyotaku prints were created to preserve a true record of the size and species caught by Japanese anglers. The oldest known prints were commissioned in 1862 by Lord Sakai in the Yamagata Prefecture to preserve the memory of a record catch.

Fish prints are so accurate that Nippons' fishing contest winners are determined by Gyotaku prints. A well executed Gyotaku yields an image so accurate and detailed that it can become a useful tool for scientific study.

Fish mural painting from Thai temple in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India