Japanese Koi Fish Art: Tracing its Roots and Background

The Koi fish is by nature of a Chinese derivation but the propagation of the species had been widely adopted by the Japanese. This Japanese carp comes in various colors which are indeed appealing to the eyes. Most Japanese believe in the luck brought about by the Koi fish pet cared for in the homes as they greatly associate this kind of fish species with the goldfish. Through time, the Koi fish has been used in several applications such as in the world of tattooing and art fields.

When someone who is familiar with the phrase “Japanese fish art” gets to hear it being mentioned by anyone, the first thing that hits his mind is a vivid image of a Koi fish embodied in berets and wearing some paints onto their fins. Japanese Koi fish art is much popular in painting rather with that of the sculpture so the latter must be dropped out of the question. One of the processes that make the Japanese Koi fish art possible is called as the Gyotaku. It is all about the printmaking art that employs real Koi fish.

Literally, the term Gyotaku connotes “fish rubbing”. In its deeper sense, such procedure includes the step of painting a fish in whatever motion and direction and thus making an impression of that painted fish. With the exception of the part wherein a live and real fish is used, the Gyotaku is so much unlike of the wood block printing.

Bits and Pieces of Historical Background for the Japanese Koi Fish Art

The Gyotaku traces its roots back to the middle 1800s when some Japanese fishermen started creating impressions as their way of preserving the remarkable recordings of all their catches. It took some time before the people who were not involved in the fishing livelihood to take notice of all the artistic worthiness of those catch recordings. But then, the fact that the Japanese fishermen were indeed the pioneers and principal practitioners of the Gyotaku cannot be devoid of the credit.

There are innumerable challenges that confront anyone who is about to engage into the Japanese Koi fish art. One of which is the hardest effort of locating some fresh fish to be painted, not to mention that the fish can be expensive. The Japanese Koi fish art can be compared to the American sport wherein the fishermen mount the fish. The only exception of the Japanese mode as compared with the latter is that the fish can actually be eaten after going through with the Gyotaku print. In fact, there is one popular Japanese fishing magazine that sports an annual competition in the field of the largest fish catch. The judging is done by means of scrutinizing the Gyotaku made.

In a much wider scope, the Japanese Koi fish art has explored the artistic world of the students all over the world. Most of those individuals who take interest to perform a Gyotaku process on the Koi fish find the experience truly exhilarating. For one novice artist in the craft of Japanese Koi fish art, the challenges to face and the hindrances to be overcome are truly daunting. To make things inherently easier, there are already suppliers who had developed several lines and kinds of rubber Koi fish which are specifically designed for the printmaking process. This scheme may stir controversies most especially on the part of the purists. But for sure, the art teachers and some practical students dealing with the Japanese Koi fish art will be utterly grateful for such convenience.