Summer Workshop Series: Gyotaku Fish Prints

Today I had the opportunity to teach one of my favorite projects, gyotaku fish prints!  Since I had a three hour class and only one student, I introduced three different projects during the two hour class.

Gyotaku (gyo=fish, taku=rubbing) is a traditional Japanese method of printing fish.  This practice dates back to the mid-1800's, when fishermen wanted a way to document the fish they caught at sea.

(images found on Google)

Gyotaku Fish Bowls

We started off with the first project, which is a simple gyotaku print fishbowl.  The directions for creating this project can be found here.

For the other two projects created, we used these silicon rubber fish purchased from Nasco, Triarco, Dick Blick, or any art supply catalog that carries gyotaku supplies…minus the real fish!

Traditional Gyotaku Prints

For this project, we used black tempura paint, one sheet of 10.5" x 16" rice or handmade paper, and the student chose one rubber fish to paint on.  The objective of this mini project was to practice adding the paint to the fish to create the print.  Too much paint will not copy the details of the fish (fins, scales, etc.), and too little paint will only pick up brush strokes and empty spaces.  The student practiced adding the paint to the fish and pressing the paper down to print the fish.

I found a perfect video which explains the process here.  The video (from Sakura) also introduces another project that can be made with the fish molds!

Here is the final product we made from the traditional print!

For the last project, we stuck with the same process as above, but designed a more detailed background using crayons and heavy weight beige paper. Like the fish bowls, the student designed an underwater picture, but added more attention to details with highlights and shadows in the seaweed, shells, rocks, and coral.  Once the background was colored with the crayon, the student chose three colors to paint her rubber fish for printing.

After the student pressed the paper to the fish for the print, she then went back in to fill in additional details, such as the eye and areas the paint did not print over.

Here's her finished product!

One happy student leaving the class with three different projects!

Gyotaku Fishbowls for Kindergarten!

One of my favorite projects to do with kindergarten is my gyotaku fish bowls.  The word "gyotaku" is Japanese, and refers to the process of creating fish prints.

Here's a link to a short video by the artist Naoki: http://youtu.be/vkaK48urU8o


While searching through the Nasco catalog, I found a set of simple rubber fish used for "gyotaku" stamping for kids.  The were the same size and shape, which saved on students fighting over which fish was better, and even though they're different colors, I tell the students that the color of the fish doesn't matter, it's the color ink you use to make your print.

The materials you need:

-10.5" x 16" white paper, cut to form a fish bowl shape (see finished example for shape)
-12" x 18" colored paper for frame
-Markers (I choose crayola washable, the students will get their hands covered in marker ink, there's no way around that!)
-Gyotaku fishies (I ordered mine through Nasco, order enough to be sure each student receives one)
(Hint: You can order in a set of seven and get a package of markers with it to start you off)
-Crayons
-Glue

The Lesson:

I start off the project by showing my students pictures of Gyotaku fish prints,a nd explain how fisherman would use this process to record their catch out at sea (since they didn't have cameras back then!)  After explaining about the process, I show students how to decorate their fish bowl with crayons.

Shapes: Show the students how to repeat circle for stones at the bottom, or how a rectangle and a rainbow connect together to make a treasure chest.  I teach this project to the kindergarteners in the beginning f the school year, about three weeks in (I see them once a week), so they're excited to make a bowl, but still learning their shapes.

Lines: I show students how to use wavy lines for water and for water plants, like seaweed.  Again, since it's a beginning of the year project for me, the students are still learning their lines.

Color:  I tell the students that before I give them their fish for stamping, They need to color their fishbowl...nicely!  In my district, many students have not had preschool or early childhood experience, so they're still learning to color in the lines.  Most of my projects reinforce the practice of coloring in the lines to improve craftsmanship, as well as patience.

Once the students finish their coloring, I give them a fish.  I tell them to color the side without the letters, since Nasco fish have "nasco" printed on one side.  I do have students that forget, so I get a bunch of "nasco" fish in their bowls.

I tell the students to print as many fish as they can in many different colors.  The students are shown how to use markers to color the textured part of the fish, then how to turn the fish over to create the stamp.  The end result looks like this:

Not every fish bowl will look like this, but the students will have tons of fun stamping!  If you travel, remember to bring your fish with you from school to school, or make sure you order some to keep at every school.  It's an easy project for traveling, and the students have a ton of fun making it!