Kingyo The Artistry of Japanese Goldfish

This book is a highly unique art book that reveals goldfish both as an element of Japanese culture and as an influential design motif over the last 500 years. Goldfish -Kingyo- were originally brought to Japan from China in 1502, and raised exclusively by the rich and the noble as highly prized, rare pets. It was not until the 1800's that goldfish became popular among the general public. Yet in no time they were raised as common pets, and depicted as motifs in art & crafts and on common household items, ultimately forming an unique Japanese kingyo culture. This book is a