In Japanese, Kin=gold, Gin=silver and Rin=scale. More commonly referred to as Ginrin, was first seen on Koi a
round 1929. Kin ginrin can now be found on virtually every scaled Koi or Wagoi.
There are essentially two manifestation of this attractive scale type, Gin Rin refers to silver reflective scales, and Kin-rin is the name given to those scales with a golden hue due to the
background colour.
In addition to the two basic colour derivations, there are, as well see later, four scale configuration types which although display subtle variations are nevertheless specific individual types. To add even more mystique to this particular mix, as can be seen from the inset picture of a Kohaku, Koi can have both Kinrin and Ginrin scales. For the rest of this article, for purposes of clarity, we will consider the term “Ginrin”, all inclusive of Kinrin and Ginrin.
History records that Mr. Eizburo Hoshino is reported to be the first person to discover and name Kin Gin Rin in 1929, when he acquired a wild magoi with a few glittering scales from a local fisherman. Mr. Hoshino was a noted breeder and has been credited with developing Ki Utsuri. The first recorded showing of a kin ginrin was in 1929 at the Yamakoshi Nishikigoi Show where a two year old female Kin Gin Rin Kohaku was shown and was admired for beautiful scales but at the same time criticised for poor skin colour.
Koi history can be a bit incongruous as in reality its improbable that both of these events could have occurred in the same year, however, it remains that 1929 seems to be a seminal year in the history of Gin Rin. Subsequent years of breeding prior to World War II were to deliver mixed
success, with specific difficulty being the production of Koi displaying uniform scale placement,
especially with Gosanke. Ginrin was also seen on Shusui and mirror carp were noted which had large mirror scales along the lateral line.
True improvement and stabilisation of Ginrin occurred after World War II, especially in the
Hiroshima region. Koi displaying Ginrin in Niigata at the same time were noted to have a relatively flat sparkle and to be more laterally displaced. Masaru Uedera is credited with stabilising and improving the early Niigata ginrin which subsequently came to be referred to as Hiroshima gin. Hiroshima ginrin is also known as diamond ginrin (or Diagin), for its spectacular sparkling appearance. It is thought to be derived from the flatter beta Ginrin from the Niigata region. These more refined Hiroshima Ginrin were then sent back to Niigata where the subsequent refinement of Niigata Ginrin (beta ginrin) was initiated. Pearl Ginrin was developed before Hiroshima Ginrin by Hiroyama Kobayashi and later improvements by Kazuo Sekiguchi. The Sekiguchi family still breeds pearl Ginrin to this day.
Echigo Ginrin refers to the three types of Ginrin (kado, pearl, and beta ginrin) other than
Hiroshima Ginrin. This name comes from the region of Niigata where these types were developed and perfected.
Histology
The cause of the mirror like appearance of Ginrin scales is the formation of guanine crystals or plates within the cells of the scale that reflect light. Those cells responsible for light reflection are termed iridophores.
Pigment or colour producing cells are termed chromatophores. Recently, several papers have been published which have advanced our knowledge of not only Ginrin, but Hikari (metallic) varieties of Koi as well. The effect is caused by the stacking of anhydrous guanine crystals and their packing into colour phage cells resulting in enhanced light reflective properties.
Types of Kin Gin Rin
There are four specific variations or presentation of ginrin as outlined in the illustration.
Each having its own individual characteristics and each appearing slightly different from the
others:
Beta Ginrin is considered the most refined and covers the scale completely. It is much less
common than Hiroshima gin. True examples of fully scaled Beta Ginrin Koi are very difficult to find. It is much more common to find Beta Ginrin scattered irregularly or in some cases just
covering a portion of the scale.
The photo above demonstrates almost complete Beta Ginrin and above right photo a combination of Beta and Hiroshima Ginrin.
Hiroshima or diamond Ginrin is the most common type of Ginrin seen. It has the appearance of an artists paintbrush having been moved over the scale with the brush strokes still being seen. It also has been referred to as a “cracked” glass appearance. The pictures below demonstrate these variations.
Pearl Ginrin sometimes called Tama-gin is the result of the guanine crystals being located in a single area of the scale, usually appearing centrally.
Kado Ginrin is where the Ginrin is located at the external rim of the scale, evident on the trailing edge of the scale, as seen in the picture below.
Although not considered true Ginrin, Matsunosuke gin is what is felt to be an incomplete, laterally oriented Ginrin, commonly seen on the Koi obtained from Toshio Sakai, of Isawa Nishikigoi
Center. The skin and scale of these Koi are generally considered to be very high quality. This scale effect has been widely replicated and today is better known as Fukurin. Its important to appreciate that Fukurin is a specific skin quality element and not Kin Gin Rin, we include it here to help demonstrate the difference.
This is Fukurin – NOT Kin Gin Rin
Ginrin varieties of Koi have become a staple of many hobbyists ponds and add a flare of brilliance with their sparkling scales. As with all things not all hobbyists approve of Ginrin Koi. Blurred edges of patterns and difficulty assessing beni and sumi colours due to the reflection from the
Ginrin scales are concerns to some hobbyists, but equally additional interest elements to others.
Varieties that seem to benefit especially from Ginrin scales are the single colour Koi; exquisite
examples of Soragoi and Chagoi have been noted. However, the quality of Ginrin breeding has
improved dramatically over the years and beautiful examples of Ginrin Go Sanke are being seen.
There are some potential downsides to Ginrin Koi. Scientific studies have proven that Ginrin Koi on average, do not achieve the size of koi with regular scales. It has also been noted that as the Koi age, there can be a fading of the shine from the Ginrin scales. Pearl Ginrin in particular, may fade away completely. It may well be as the Koi ages and grows, the growth of the skin will affect the reflective surface area of the scale with resultant dulling of the reflection of the Ginrin.
The progress that breeders have made with the quality of Ginrin Koi over the last several decades has been impressive. As time goes on, we can only expect continued improvement in quality of Ginrin and conformation/size, but whatever happens these beautiful Koi will continue to work their magic on an adoring audience!
