Gyotaku Art Literacy Presentation

Objective:     

Students will:

·         gain an understanding of the relationship between Japanese culture and the visual arts

·         Simulate an art form established by Japanese fishermen centuries ago.

Vocabulary:

Gyotaku, print/printing

Art Form History:  show sample fish print

Gyotaku (gyo = fish, taku = rubbing) (pronounced “ghee-oh tah-koo”) was invented by Japanese fisherman who wanted a record of their catch in the early 1800s over one hundred years ago, before cameras were invented.  This was what they did for a living/job and the print allowed them to document the size and types of fish caught and still take them back to be sold or eaten. Also, because certain fish in Japan are revered (respected), the fisherman could release these fish back into the water after taking their rubbings. Japanese fishermen took newsprint, ink and brush out to sea with them. Prints were brought back and displayed in the homes of the fishermen either on walls or in journals to be used as conversation pieces and to relate proud and heroic stories of the catch.

Japanese fishing magazines still hold contests where the judging is done from the Gyotaku. It has also developed into an art form; many artists in various countries practice gyotaku, some selling prints for thousands of dollars.

Project:

What you need:

·         fish

·         paint brushes

·         paint

·         printing paper

·         desk covers

·         poster of Japanese words

 1- Watch video (Gyotaku video) from blog or demonstrate the printing process (without paint) to students.  (if you watch video be sure to explain that we will be doing a few things differently)

2- Pass out desk covers, paint tubs with paint (1 black & 1 color/group), brushes (1 for colored paint & 3 for black), printing paper- 1/student, rubber fish-1 per group/table (3-5 students to use same fish)

3- Place fish onto BLACK desk cover (it stays in this spot for each person to do their print)

4- Paint fish with colored paint -creating a light, even, smooth coat and making sure all the edges and details are covered.

5- With clean fingers, pick up printing paper and place on top of fish

6- Keep one hand in the middle of the fish, holding the paper in place (so that it doesn't smear). Use fingers on other hand to gently (but firmly) press the paper all the way around the fish, being sure to transfer all the edges

7- Gently lift the paper from the fish.

8- Set the print on GREY desk cover to add a painted Japanese word (if desired) with the black paint

9- Sign name on front in bottom corner

Art Volunteers: At the end please clean up all supplies including; rinse brushes, fish, & paint bowls. Dry fish & brushes as well as you can store brushes in ziplock baggie and fish in pink tub. THANK YOU!