Fish Printing

Fish printing is a little bit gross but the results are very beautiful. If you have an older child who you are also homeschooling, you might want to get into the history of fish printing with these very nice lesson plans from the Kennedy Center. For example, I didn't know until I went to search for it, that Gyotaku (gyo=fish, taku=rubbing) was invented in the early 1800's in Japan by the fishermen to record their catch. They could document the size and type of fish caught and still take it back to be sold or eaten.

I also found, while searching, that the Printmaking Council of New Jersey will come to your house and help you throw a Japanese fish printing-themed birthday party. They also offer papermaking and soapmaking (melt and pour). So, if you live in New Jersey, I guess you lucked out!!!