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.

Related links about this subject:

Koi & Water Garden History
Some interesting info from 500 BC.
www.cnykoi.com/history/main.asp

The history of Koi or Nishikigoi
Farmers in Japan used to eat them as a winter food.
www.koiacres.com/koi/history.html

Koi the history
Learn about the mysteries of this fish.
www.absolute-koi.com/koi/index.htmls

Next: Meaning of Koi Fish Symbols