Lesson Overview:
By acquiring knowledge of historical and cultural qualities unique to this particular art form students can gain an understanding of how Gyotaku reflects a part of Japanese history. Students will select a fish, prepare it, ink it, apply the paper or fabric, and complete the fish print for display. During this process they will also examine the fish and learn the correct names and uses of the external anatomical parts of the fish.
Length of Lesson:
Three 45-minute periods
Instructional Objectives:
Students will:
- gain an understanding of the relationship between different cultures and their visual arts.
- simulate an art form established by Japanese fishermen centuries ago.
- recognize and name the external parts of a fish.
Supplies:
- wallpaper samples or left over rolls
- colored construction paper
- white paper
- other types of special paper
- newsprint
- apron
- straight pins
- plasticene clay
- latex gloves
- wooden spoons or barens
- various sizes of brushes
- newspaper for cushioned work surface
- several brayers or sponge applicators
- optional t-shirt to print on
- rice paper
- several 8"x10" sheets of Plexiglass or styrofoam trays on which to roll the ink
- water-soluble block printing ink or acrylic paint
- fish (various sizes and shapes and varieties)
Instructional Plan:
Gyotaku (gyo=fish, taku=rubbing) was invented in the early 1800's in Japan by the fishermen to record their catch. This was their livelihood (not sport fishing as we have today) and they could document the size and types of fish caught and still take it back to be sold or eaten. Also, certain fish in Japan are revered and they would take rubbings of these fish and then place them back in the water. Japanese fishermen took newsprint, ink and brush out to sea with them. On occasion, old newspapers printed with water-soluble ink were also used as the ink would bleed with the moisture from the fish and record its shape (a print) on the newspaper. 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 Gyotaku's. It has also developed into an art form; many created prints for their beauty, and added artistic elements.
Today in our country we have:
- Taxidermy—stuffing a fish, or an animal for use as a type of trophy.
- Data collection—fish are measured and weighed when caught during fishing contests.
- Cameras—pictures are also used to document the catch.
External Anatomy of Fish
Inform students that fish are the largest group of vertebrates both in number and diversity. Fish derive from the largest vertebrate group, which means that they have an internal skeleton. Also, explain that the basic anatomy of fish in the Osteichthyes class is the same. Have students look at a real fish and ask them what they know about fish. Have someone write answers on the board or chart paper. Several lead questions could include:
- Do they breathe? And how?
- Why do they have such a variety of colors?
- How do they move?
- Why don't they flip or roll like we do in the water?
- Do they have a protective covering?
- How can you tell the age of a fish?
Refer students to the Parts of a Fish anatomy Web page. Have students study the anatomy terms listed on the Web site and point them out on the real fish. While showing them where the parts are located, you may also offer short descriptions of their functions. Two sections in the lesson backround and vocabulary offer great information on fish anatomy.
Also, refer students to the Label the Fish Anatomy chart.
Printing the Fish
Obtain several whole fish from the market. If you live anywhere near a fish market, and you explain what you plan to do in the classroom, they may provide the fish free of charge. Make sure they are fresh. If you are not using them for several days, freeze the fish and thaw when you plan to do the fish printing. Nasco makes rubber fish replicas for gyotaku printing if you would prefer not to use real fish in the printing process. Please remember that you should have one real fish to discuss the external anatomy.
Prepare the area beforehand:
- Provide a separate tray for each fish, so that they can always be placed back on the same tray.
- Label the tray with the type of fish.
- Have students wear latex gloves.
- String a clothesline across the room and have clip type clothespins available, for hanging your prints to dry.
- Have students print their names on the back of the papers they will use to make their prints.
- Place all printing materials, and the Plexiglas plates to roll out the ink, on the worktables.
- Have paper towels available and water to wash.
- Students can wash off the fish between prints if they want different colors. Just to make sure the fish are dried off before printing again.
There are two methods of fish printing:
Chokusetsu-ho
- Must be clean and dry.
- Clean slimy substance from scales with salt and vinegar, alcohol, or squeeze a lemon over it and gently wipe. Be very careful of the scales.
- Lay fish on dry surface.
- Slowly and gently fan out any fins or tail.
- Plasticene clay may be placed under these to raise them, allow for better printing surface, and to hold the mouth open. You can hold it down by pushing straight pins into the clay.
- Apply any type of water-based ink to the fish with soft brush, sponge, or a foam brush.
- Apply gently but in all directions. Use a brush for some of the harder-to-define areas such as lips, etc.
- Place the paper over the inked fish hold with one hand so it does not move and gently press the paper down over the entire fish making sure you have pressed all parts.
- Peel back the paper slowly starting at one end and continuing across.
- Get an adult to help, or have the students work in pairs, as it is good to have someone hold onto the fish so it does not slip or slide.
- When you look at your print if you see a smudge it means either the paper or fish slipped.
- If you see a blank spot it means you either did not ink well or did not press hard enough to transfer the ink.
Kansetsu-ho
- Indirect method of printing.
- Much more difficult and takes a great deal of practice to perfect the process.
- Involves pressing wet paper onto the fish.
- Press it carefully to pick up all the images.
- You are actually molding the image of the fish.
- Remove it carefully letting it dry.
- Use it as the plate from which to obtain your image.
Before printing a fish, students should be sure they have placed their names in the lower corner of the paper along with the type of fish they are printing and the date the print was made.
Give students the opportunity to add to the backgrounds of their prints. Students may add various details, including eyes, underwater features or decorative designs.
After the prints are dry, remove them from the clothesline and post them around the room. Have students critique the work using the Student Assessment Rubric handout. Questions asked could include:
- Is the placement on the paper correct?
- Printing technique. (i.e. No holes or blank spots, ink amount, clear print.)
- Was there an effective use of color within the print?
- Design elements incorporated into the picture?
- Have them point out various parts of the fish's anatomy from the print.
Assessment:
Using the Teacher Assessment Rubric, critique the students' printed fish displays.
Extensions:
Make handmade paper to print on. Experiment with different types of paper. Study another printing method in Japan that became world renown. The Japanese color woodblock prints. Refer to the lesson, Japanese Woodblock Prints. This method can also be used to print crabs, squid, starfish, shells, and plants. Students can research the fish, and ask the following questions:
- What type of habitat does it live in?
- Is it important commericially?
- On what does it feed?
- Where would it fit in a food web (chain)?
Sources:
Print:
- Hiyana, Yoshio, The Art Of The Japanese Fish, University of Washington Press, Seattle, 1964
Web:
Authors:
-
Nancy Jean Meyer
Butte Community College
Paradise, CA
Collaborating Organizations:
-
California State University, Chico
Chico, CA
