Original Gyotaku

Giclee Reproductions

Gyotaku...The Japanese art of fish printing

Gyo translates as Fish. Taku translates as impression
or rubbing.

Gyotaku began in Japan during the 1800’s as the method used by fishermen to record the size and species of their prized catch. The fish caught was cleaned on the outside and positioned as it would appear in life. It’s detailed image was obtained by carefully pressing rice paper onto the fish covered with ink, where the blank eye area remained to be hand painted. Due to the aesthetic quality of the work, Gyotaku developed into an art form.