There is a Japanese Art Form Based Around Dipping Fish in Ink and Making Prints of Them [Video]

Today in “Things I Didn’t Know” news: The latest cartoon from TED-Ed traces the origins and evolution of one of the strangest art forms I’ve ever heard of — gyotaku, the art of making ink prints on rice paper using fish. Initially conceived as a way for Japanese fishermen to brag on the size of a catch while still throwing the fish back, gyotaku became popular in the courts of the Edo period, though its fortunes have since waned, presumably because there is only so much one can do with with a fish, artistically speaking.

Now, though, I am aware that placing inky fish on rice paper can be considered an art form. Thanks to TED-Ed, I can never unknow that.

(via TED-Ed)

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