The Two Methods Of Gyotaku Fish Printing

There are two methods for creating gyotaku, with the most common being the DIRECT method (Chokusetsu-ho) where the artist applies paint directly onto the surface of the fish. The fish is then covered with the paper (or fabric) and carefully pressed to produce an imprint, or rubbing.  The second, or INDIRECT method (Kansetsu-ho), has the fabric or paper being pasted onto the fish, and the artist applying the paint to the fabric (rather than the fish).