Woodblock Print River Fish by Shin Kogei

This series of woodblock print river fish was made by Shin Kogei.  

Natives to Japan's fast flowing streams, including those near Shin Kogei's base in Hida Takayama, these include the colourful Amago (red spotted trout) and the long-living Iwana (Char).

Founded in Hida-Takayama in the snowy north of Gifu prefecture by a local artist, Shin Kogei are known for their woodblock print animals. Hida-Takayama was an important castle town in the Middle Ages, and today has a fine tradition for wooden furniture. 

Shin Kogei use this wood to make their printing blocks. The designs are principally of animals that can be seen in Hida-Takayama, and are transferred to the woodblocks, before being hand dyed onto natural cotton. Each colour designates a different block used, showing the time spent on each.  The animals are filled with natural casks and hand sewn.

The river fish are available in three types:

Iwana <Char> W16cm x H5cm

Amago <Red spotted masu trout> W14m x H6cm

Kajika <Japanese bullhead>  W13.5m x H5cm