I would like to introduce these two variety of Japanese Koi from the Gosanke group and show some pictures of the beautiful specimen from the respective variety for study, comparison and appreciation.
Let's start with the Kohaku, a red and white coloured koi, from the Gosanke group:
Case Study No.1
Which would you consider the better koi and Why?
Comments :
Koi (A) won the Kokugyo (Best in Size) prize at the All Japan Nishikigoi Show. The Kokugyo prize is one of the top awards in the Nishikigoi world. This Kohaku is a celebrated Koi and is a good representative of Japanese Koi. Especially, it is famous as an ideal 3-step Kohaku. Here I would like to discuss an ideal 3-step Kohaku.
As a Kohaku, Koi (A) has ideal Hi on its head. Koi (B)'s head is too white. It should be like Koi (A).
The next point is the Shiroji between the first and second Hi. The Shiroji of Koi (A) is like a thick, wide belt. Koi (B), on the other hand, has a thin Shiroji, which is actually not dividing the steps. It is important that the Hi plates are clearly separated like Koi (A).
If Koi (B) had the first step of its Hi pattern separated from the second step and placed a bit more to the front, it could be a very competitive Kohaku to Koi (A).
The separation between the second and the third Hi steps is about the same.
Last of all, there is another Hi plate on the left part of Koi (A) between the first and the second step. You might question whether or not it is good for the Hi to be there. Without the Hi, Koi (A) would be a very bright and clear 3-step Kohaku, but at the same time, it would be an ordinary 3 step Kohaku, without uniqueness. This Hi plate makes this Kohaku unique, and therefore it should be the winner in a koi show.
Case Study No. 2
Comments on the 2 koi:
These Kohaku are both about 80-85 cm (32-34 in.). The patterns are both three- step. In pattern, Koi (B) is far better. However, the reason that Koi (A), whose pattern is clearly inferior, appears with Koi (B) in our study material is that the pattern will not look as bad (as it does now) when it grows big and fat.
The high point of Koi (A) is that it is a good three-step Kohaku.
However, there are 2 defects on this Koi. One is that the first Hi does not match the shape of the second Hi. The other is that the third Hi has a line along the dorsal fin. It would be better if these defects were not there. Red on both eyes of Koi (A) is only a tiny defect. There is a Hi at the base of the right pectoral fin. At this size, it is not considered a defect because it is not usually visible when we view the Koi.
Case Study No. 3 Taisho Sanshoku
Let's examine these two Taisho Sanshoku ( commonly called Sanke ):
Which one would you say is the better Sanke?
Appreciation Comments:
The topic here is Aka ( red ) Sanke with very little Shiroji ( white ).
An Aka Sanke is a Taisho Sanshoku which has a Hi plate that occupies 70-80% of its body. The factors in Aka Sanke are quality of the Sumi and the Shiroji. Because Sumi and Shiroji are both observed in very small quantities, their quality is required to be higher than an ordinary Taisho Sanshoku. The big Hi plate, Sumi and Shiroji should be well designed.
Koi (A) has a very beautiful face thanks to good Shiroji and excellent Hi ( red ) quality. Also, the large Sumi ( black ) on the shoulder finishes well and looks dignified. The tail section is also finished well with high quality Sumi, which make the whole Koi appear solid. The highlights of this Koi are the beautiful face, the Sumi on the shoulder and the Sumi on the tail section. These three points keep everything balanced and make it attractive.
On the other hand, Koi (B) forms its pattern with a good balance of Hi and Shiroji. Although there are only 4 small Sumi patches around the center of its body, the Sumi keeps in harmony with the Hi and Shiroji. Although there is Hi at the very end of the tail section, there is Odome ( region between the tail and anal fin ).
Because the Hi quality, the Shiroji quality and the Sumi quality are all very good, on the whole this Koi looks very beautiful. Without the excellent quality, it would not look this beautiful. In addition, you can tell that the Sumi is of real quality from the Sashi of the Sumi on the right shoulder.
To answer the question of which is more beautiful, Koi (B) should be the one.
Although Koi (A) and Koi (B) are of the same quality level. In this case, Koi (B) with the more beautiful design will win.
Case Study No. 4: Taisho Sanshoku
Appreciation Comments:
They are both beautiful specimen and representative of their variety. They both have the appropriate amount of Sumi ( black skin ) on their pectoral fins ( also known as motogoro ). Their Shiroji ( white skin ) are good. They have a similar Hi pattern. They are almost Ipponhi (one Hi pattern.), but it runs side to side very symmetrically. But when we compare their Sumi patterns, Koi (B)'s is much better than Koi (A)'s. On Koi (B), the powerful Sumi matches the flow of the Hi.
Koi (B) is now about 70cm (28 "). With more flesh and growth, it should develop into a much lovelier koi. It holds good promise for future koi competition.
Koi (A) has a beautiful flow of Hi. The entry of the Hi is clean, and it is linked to the back Hi. It covers the trunk like a butterfly. The Odome Hi stops perfectly at the tail section. The small Sumi in the Shiroji of the shoulder is a good reflection of its beauty.
It is faultlessly beautiful. Because its Sumi quality is very fine, larger Sumi would make her a more unique and attractive Koi.
The Answer is Koi (B).
I hope this is a good introductory exercise and that you can now have a better idea which koi to select when buying your prize koi.
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