Woodblock Print Butterflyfish by Shin Kogei

These colourful fish were made by Shin Kogei.

The Hida-Takayama based firm typically represent animals found in their upland region, but on this occasion find inspiration in the tropical waters around the southern Japanese islands.

Here butterflyfish such as these can be found, as shown in three different types.  The fish can be hung on their own, or to make a soft and brightly coloured mobile.

The different types are:

Amime <Pearlscale butterflyfish>  Width 11.5 x Height 9cm, Weight 4g, (Orange / Brown / Blue)

Seguro <Saddle butterflyfish>  Width 12 x Height 9cm, Weight 4g (Orange / Blue / Green)

Genrokudai <Brown-banded butteflyfish> Width 12 x Height 9cm, Weight 4g (Blue / Green)

About Shin Kogei

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.