Koi-nobori

Описание: Artwork available in my shop
https://www.etsy.com/pl/listing/13496...

Hand-printed graphics made using mokuhanga techniques - traditional Japanese woodcut; karazuri - dry pressing and laser engraving. Each of the sheets was initially printed by hand using the woodcut technique, then with the use of another wooden matrix, I embossed the background and finally I cut the sheet on a laser engraving machine to make perforations that make it easier to pull the carp out of the background.

The graphic shows the Japanese carp Koi-nobori, the traditional Japanese flag in the shape of this fish. Carp in Japanese culture is a symbol of overcoming hardships and striving for success, and such flags are hung on the occasion of children's day.

In Poland, carp is associated with the holiday season because it is a traditional dish. Often it is also an animal symbolizing the attitude of people to animals. During the holidays, carp were often sold alive and floated in the tub for some time before Christmas. Unfortunately, they were slaughtered before Christmas Eve... As a child, I was shocked by this practice and my sister and I tried several times to persuade the rest of the family to release this fish (unfortunately unsuccessfully).