Hi, I am MADARA, a Shodo artist from KANJI TOKYO. Today I drew a picture of a goldfish and made a T-shirt design based on it. “Goldfish” is known as a [seasonal word for summer] and symbolises the cool summer atmosphere. If that’s the case, isn’t it a bit different from the season for winter? From now on, I will not only draw Goldfish, but also other symbols of the four seasons in Japan.
As I wrote in my last blog about goldfish, the more I research them, the more I find myself addicted to their fascination. If you look at the history of goldfish, their roots are in China. In ancient China, a culture developed in which the edible crucian carp was bred for food, and the goldfish was the result. This beautiful ornamental fish was introduced to Japan at the end of the Muromachi period (1336-1573). It was not until the Edo period (1603-1868) that breeding techniques spread and a wide variety of goldfish were bred in Japan. During this period, goldfish became a popular pastime for the common people and one of the most popular summer attractions in the city of Edo.
Goldfish scooping is still a staple of the fair scene and an essential part of the Japanese summer festival scene. The most common type of goldfish seen in goldfish scooping is the ‘wakin’ (Japanese goldfish). There are many other varieties of goldfish, including the ryukin, with its cute, rounded body shape, and the demekin, with its distinctive protruding eyes. Each has its own unique charm and remains popular throughout Japan.
The Edo period also saw the rise of the goldfish peddler. The sight of goldfish peddlers with buckets of goldfish hanging from a balance, walking through the streets and shouting their sales pitch, was a familiar part of everyday life for ordinary people at the time. This scene of goldfish sales shows that goldfish were more than just an ornamental fish, they were rooted in people’s lives and culture.
Goldfish were more than just beautiful creatures; they were also a timeless symbol of culture. Their place in traditional Japanese culture is still important today, and they continue to be used as motifs in goldfish bowls and ukiyo-e prints, as well as in the world of interior design and contemporary art.
