Washi no Sato’s Koi Fish

One thing that really interested me were the large koi fish in the pond at Washi no Sato. It brought a sense of nostalgia, giving me a childlike rush just like when I saw the same breed of fish at Taronga Zoo in Sydney years back.

Animals have been a big part of this trip- there were plenty of cats on Naoshima Island, a goat which was being walked like how a dog would be its owners and fish in tanks on the street. However, I feel a stronger connection to the fish, as they seem like a recurring motif- evident in the Nishijin textile designs at the museum in Kyoto, the cuisine and in nature. Traditionally, I view fish to be symbolic of good luck and adventure- which definitely fits this journey through Japan. This heavily relates to my creative practice, as I often observe and illustrate animals representative of my experiences.