When I first saw gyotaku prints adorning the walls and ceilings of tackles shops all over Japan, I fell in love with this obscure folk art that began when Japanese fishermen created a way to record and convey their catches by brushing black sumi ink, made from pine soot and water, onto the surface and then pressing a sheet of washi (Japanese paper) to create a fossillike and timeless record.

With the support and encouragement by LACMA's Michael VanHartingsveldt, Japanese cultural organizations and parks, donations from seafood wholesalers across the country, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, I'm able to continue this 200 year old tradition using the original materials while fine tuning my process so that I may bring back life to these underwater creatures that I love so much.

Gyotaku Artist: Dwight & Hazel Hwang www.fishingforgyotaku.com
Video shot by: Sam Wells www.samwellsphoto.com
Music composed by: Kyo Nakanishi
Shot on location at The Japanese Garden: www.thejapanesegarden.com
Special Thanks to: Michael VanHartingsveldt, Michael Fritzen

** Sumi ink is organic and nontoxic. Ink is simply washed off and fish are consumed by family, friends, and our canine**