More About: Koi & Variety Specific Attributes
In the main Koi appreciation and variety sections of this VIP information resource we’ve discussed in detail all the important and relevant requirements. In this section we want to highlight some individual aspects of Koi appreciation that are specific to various individual varieties.
Menware and Motoguro on Showa and Shiro Utsuri Varieties The head and pectoral Sumi patterns on both Showa and Shiro Utsuri might seem relatively small elements, but in these specific cases they have a disproportionately significant impact on the overall impression of the individual Koi, and we wanted to highlight this.
Motoguro – The two primary factors influencing the impact of motoguro are extent/location and quality. In order to make a positive contribution motoguro requires positivity from both. Together these factors influence the impact motoguro has on the Koi. Unbalanced or poor quality sumi often hinders rather than helps, by contrast their little more attractive than beautifully balanced high quality motoguro. Whatever’s present its important to pay attention to it.
Menware – Is the term that refers to the sumi head pattern on Showa and Utsuri. In common with motoguro placement and quality are very important and the very best examples appear to merge and work together with motoguro, to positive effect. Overbearing menware can be especially problematic as it not only unbalances the appearance of the Koi, but can also obscure other contributory skin colour attributes, which can become completely obscured. Similarly unbalanced menware that skews one way or the other is also often not helpful. This is a subtle and unforgiving element that we all need to pay close attention to.
Tejima in Sanke
Is the term given to the black stripes in the pectoral fins of Sanke variants. As per motoguro elegant balanced Sanke Tejima is very important in terms of the overall impression it gives. Be aware however that sumi can both come and go, and while these transitions are often associated with temperature variation, it’s also influenced by genetics both parental and specific, so what you see isn’t always what you get, and of course this works both ways – good and bad!
What we seek is balance and harmony and a positive as opposed to a negative, or neutral contribution, to the overall Koi. Its also important to pay attention to the dorsal and tail and the overall impact of all finnage elements, good and bad, because its the sum of the whole effect that ultimately defines their contribution, and that means all four are the primary, more visible fins, (pectorals, dorsal and tail) but be mindful that the other three also do contribute so its important to pay attention to them, and their markings, also.
Beni type, Kiwa and Sashi on Kohaku
The reality is that Kohaku beni and their variants are an entire books worth topic in themselves. While newcomers believe that red is red right? ….Well wrong actually as more experienced Koi keepers will attest as the truth begins to dawn on them, and as seasoned Koi students, will all have learned to their often considerable expense!
“Beni is the crowing glory on all Koi” Igarashi Kazuto circa 1995
While, at least on the face of it, the statement may well sound a bit bias coming from a Kohaku breeder, there is so much truth here we felt compelled to include it, simply because it sums up the essence of just how important beni is to Koi in general, and Kohaku in particular.
The late Kazuto Igarshi was and remains one of the most respected breeders in Japan. This quiet gentle man is responsible for a generation of incredible Koi and a legacy that ensures the next. His lifetime of producing some of the finest Kohaku on the planet taught him that in fact his entire accumulated knowledge was merely a surface scratch on the overall topic, and its that
understanding that remained his inspiration to continue to try and do better, for literally the rest of his life.
We’ve already dealt with some of the detailed aspects of beni in other sections of this information guide, the point of including it here is two fold. First to remind you of its fundamental an non negotiable primary role in defining all Koi with it, and second and perhaps more important to inspire you to want to learn more about what is one of the most beguiling aspects of the entire hobby.
“Koi Keeping begins and end with Kohaku, and Kohaku begins and ends with beni”
On all varieties with little detail, small things are always big things. While this original comment was aimed at Kohaku it applies equally to single coloured Koi in general, and Hikarimuji more than most.
Clean heads on Yamabuki and Purachina – Yamabuki and Purachina can be absolutely beautiful. The challenge with them both is that on the one hand it doesn’t take much of a demerit to spoil the whole Koi, and on the other hand important key elements have to be spot on! At the higher level of examples a nice clean head isn’t enough, it has to be pristine, totally unmarked and gleaming. In Koi where there are few key elements to appreciate, the ones that there are come under even closer scrutiny and in both these Koi ,clean heads means clean heads! It doesn’t mean nearly or almost clean, it means – CLEAN!
Lustre on all metallic varieties.
Lustre on Koi essentially is their skin quality. Their final gleaming coat of gloss varnish on the final coat of gloss paint. What determines just how good the lustre is, is not only the number of coats of gloss paint, but the number of coats of gloss varnish on top of the gloss paint too!
In the best examples the skin of the metallic Koi glows with a luminescence, and in lesser examples the Koi appears dull and matt like in finish. It’s because metallic Koi are so diverse in their presentation that lustre is so important. How can you compare for example a Kujaku with a Kin Showa or Kikusui? The answer is surprisingly simple, by ignoring their variety and comparing their lustre…but don’t tell everyone or they’ll all know!
White dorsal fins on all Go Sanke.
The reality is that dorsal fins on all Koi are generally ignored, or at best unnoticed by most Koi enthusiasts. However, they’re absolutely not ignored more informed Koi students who understand their important to any Koi’s overall impression. White dorsal fins are almost a prerequisite of great Koi in Japan. The best of the best, often also have a surrounding white area at the base of the dorsal without any other colour than white. This feature adds significantly to the gracefulness and imposingness offered by a Koi, that possesses this rare attribute. This is another example of where less really is more, because the less encroached the dorsal and dorsal region is, the better. Given that its so unusual to have a Koi with absolutely no incursions, the less the better.
Round symmetrical Tancho spots on all Tancho.
This might sound an obvious element but its surprisingly rare too. Tancho are judged on their Tancho spots. Body shape and skin are secondary, and although there’s a good argument for reversing this when Tancho hunting, it’s important that the judging criteria is kept in mind.
Genuine Tancho are surprisingly rare and many are created surgically, often from Kohaku with lots of red at the front but that otherwise would have been culled. This is a problem because the lack of quality in such Koi often manifests in poor beni, and of course the Tancho spot is beni, and thats why really poor examples are prone to losing all their beni. Most professional Koi dealers worth their salt will know the difference, another reason if one were needed, to buy only from Koi dealers you trust!
Clean well defined and delineated scale reticulation on: Kujaku, Matsuba, Asagi and Goshiki – All these diverse varieties have the quality of scalation high on their must have list. Kujaku, Asagi and Goshiki for example, are often defined by the quality or otherwise of their scalation. So for Koi with aspirations of quality, clear scale definition is a prerequisite. For Koi students attempting to choose one from a group, its also a quick test to sort out the keepers from the rejects. This might sound harsh but the reason for our no prisoners approach, is that generally, scale definition only ever gets worse with age. So its vital that you at least start off with a Koi with the best scale definition possible.
Any blurring or bleeding is very likely to get worse not better, and if you have any showing aspirations this takes on an entirely higher level of importance, as Koi Judges use this evaluation element to quickly identify potential winners….and losers.
Variety means Variety, not variety!
While Heinz 57’s and novelty Koi might have initial impact, and just like a bright pink Ferrari appeal to some, you can be sure that the attraction will be short lived. Unusual one off Koi are invariably mutts, Koi that are genetic anomalies, which is fine if thats what appeals, but be warned the chances are they won’t look like that for long ,and chances are that you will have grown out of them long before they do!
The point is whether you are selecting Koi for purchase, or applying our judging criteria, Koi that comply closest to their variety, non existent standards tend not just to be better bets in the medium and longer term, but always take the day in a competitive environment. If you have a liking for guessagoi that’s absolutely fine, but don’t expect them to stay much like the day you bought them, because chances are they wont.
By selecting more variety compliant Koi, you are selecting Koi that are closer to the intended breed, remember there are no breed standards, and these Koi tend to be less unstable, and better retain their breed characteristics.
The Circle of Life
All Koi are born, achieve their potential (whatever that might be), then get worse, then they die. Thats it guys. There are no exceptions, so as Koi keepers its our job to work with what we’ve got! By nurturing our Koi and providing them the very best environment, we possibly can. The best it gets is that we maximise two of the primary parameters; their potential and life expectancy.
By working to flatten the Nishikigoi bell curve of life, as apposed to hopelessly attempting to reinvent it, we have a realistic chance of not only maximising the amount of time a Koi looks its best, but also the time it spends at its best. If we’re really good (aka lucky), we can even maximise how long they live! But the harsh truth is that’s really the best it gets. Koi students who embrace this reality, as apposed to battling against it like some deranged Koi Keeping King Canute, are likely to not only enjoy their Koi keeping more, but are less likely to be needing the services of a good physicist, well… they probably will eventually, but perhaps not quite as soon!
