The 41st All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show
The 41th All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show

The 41st All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show was held at Niigata Toki Messe, in Niigata, home of Nishikigoi, on February 6th and 7th for the very first time. This show had 1593 entries, about 100 more Nishikigoi than last year. Mr. Masao Kato was honored as the grand champmion at the event with his Kohaku which was bred by Dainichi Koi Farm in Niigata. Congratulations!!

During the show, mochi (rice cake) pounding was held by the Higashiyama Mochi Pounding Preservation Society, and they served fresh rice cakes to visitors. While warm and friendly atmosphere filled the site, Niigate was hit by heavy snow that accumulated up to 81cm.
It hasn't recveived this much snow in 26 years. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who came for the show despite the bad weather.

Reported by Hiroshi Toyama from International Nishikigoi Promotion Center


Dates: February 6 (Sat) and February 7 (Sun), 2010
Hosted by: All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association
Sponsors: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Niigata Prefecture
The 41st Show Grand Champion
Variety classification / Division Kohaku / 90th Division The 41st Show Grand Champion
Award winner (Prefecture/Country) Mr. Masao Kato (Tochigi)
Mr.	Masao Kato
Mr. Masao Kato

[Commentry]
This Nishikigoi won the Jumbo Koi Division championship last year, and it became the 41st Show Grand Champion this year 2010. It has been developed her body structure and quality for a year, and obviously turned into a beautiful Nishikigoi. This Kohaku seemed to look old at the 40th show, however the excellent skill of keeping Nishikigoi makes it look younger than last year.

Jumbo Koi Division Overall Champion
Variety classification / Division Showa Sanshoku / 90th Division The 41th Jumbo Koi Division Overall Champion
Award winner (Prefecture/Country) Mr. Sanero Takagi (Fukuoka)
Mr. Sanero Takagi
Mr. Sanero Takagi

[Commentry]
In general, it is important for Showa to have the balanced volume of black, red, and white colors. This Showa has less shiroji and the patterns of the three colors seem to be off balance, however the zigzag white line on the center of its back emphasizes the snow-white skin and contrast between the strong colors. This Showa successfully obtains both the beautiful shiroji and a masculine appearance.

Superior Koi Division Overall Champion
Variety classification / Division Taisho Sanke / 80th Division The 41st Superior Koi Division Overall Champion
Award winner (Prefecture/Country) Mr. Masahiro Yonejima (Ishikawa)
Representative
Representative

[Commentry]
This Nishikigoi has a well-shaped body that is most important point during Nishikigoi evaluation. Since Nishikigoi are usually appreciated from above, the curving outline of Nishikigoi with an ample body is considered beautiful, and this Nishikigoi has it. In addition, the balance of its whole body including the head, tail, and fins are appropriate.

Superior Male Koi Division Overall Champion
Variety classification / Division Kohaku / 80th Division The 41st Superior Male Koi Division Overall Champion
Award winner (Prefecture/Country) Mr. Eisaku Kato (Chiba)
Mr. Eisaku Kato

Mr. Eisaku Kato

[Commentry]
It is said that the body structures of male Nishikigoi are inferior to females, but in this case, the fact doesn't apply. This male Nishikigoi looks like a female Nishikigoi at first glance. This is a good example of male Nishikigoi having a similar body type as a female Nishikigoi. It is easy to anticipate that the male Nishikigois popularity will increase.

Mature Koi Division Overall Champion
Variety classification / Division Kohaku / 70th Division The 41st Mature Koi Division Overall Champion
Award winner (Prefecture/Country) Mr. Nobuo Takigawa (Shimane)
Mr. Nobuo Takigawa

Mr. Nobuo Takigawa

[Commentary]
This Nishikigoi has superb red coloration that appears in its patterns. The red is solid and widely displayed on its shiroji. Its kiwa of the patterns are sharp. Generally speaking, it is better to have odome in front of the tail, but this Nishikigoi has good composition in the patterns that compensates for the absence of odome.

Mature Male Koi Division Overall Champion
Variety classification / Division Showa , Utsurimono / 70th Division The 41st Mature Male Koi Division Overall Champion
Award winner (Prefecture/Country) Mr. Eisaku Kato (Chiba)
Mr. Eisaku Kato
Mr. Eisaku Kato

[Commentary]
Not to mention, this is second time for this Nishikigoi to win the Mature Male Koi Division championship. His jet-black sumi patterns are still superb. It seems that the sumi become solider and thicker over time. The continuous effort to keep the quality of this Nishikigoi led to this prize once again.

Adult Koi Division Overall Champion
Variety classification / Division Taisho Sanke / 50th Division The 41st Adult Koi Division Overall Champion
Award winner (Prefecture/Country) Mr. Masaru Hishida (Aichi)
Mr. Masaru Hishida

Mr. Masaru Hishida

[Commentary]
Sanke is considered of a variety that is difficult to balance the three colors. On the contrary, this sumi position is appropriate and accomplishes a balance between the three colors. In addition, the sumi which appears on the shoulder increases the value of the Nishikigoi. We are looking forward to seeing how this Nishikigoi changes over time.

Young Koi Division Overall Champion
Variety classification / Division Showa Sanshoku / 41th Division The 41st Young Koi Division Overall Champion
Award winner (Prefecture/Country) Mr. Kazuto Makihara (Hiroshima)
Mr. Kazuto Makihara
Mr. Kazuto Makihara

[Commentary]
Usually, intensity of red on Showa looks weaker than on Sanke and Kohaku due to the volume of the three colors, but this Showa has good quality hi. This Showa has the three-stepped hi plates with odome that is beautifully arranged.

Baby Koi Division Overall Champion
Variety classification / Division Kohaku / 25th Division The 41st Baby Koi Division Overall Champion
Award winner (Prefecture/Country) Mr. Koji Kato (Aichi)
Mr. Koji Kato

Mr. Koji Kato

[Commentary]
The shiny skin of this Nishikigoi gives an impression of Hikarimono, but it is apparently Kohaku. Even though the Nishikigoi has less shiroji, it will change slightly over time. This is a very attractive Kohaku with potential.

*Award winners are the owners of the award winning Koi.

The exhibited Nishikigoi are categorized into divisions based on their body length. Each division, beginning from the 15th up to the 90th, consists of 5 sub-divisions. The numbers represent the Nishikigoi’s length (in centimeters).
For example, the 15th division includes Nishikigoi of length up to 15cm (6 inches), the 30th division from 25 to 30cm (from 10 to 12 inches), the 80th division from 75 to 80cm (from 30 to 32 inches), and the 90th division of over 85cm (34 inches). Nishikigoi over 50cm (20 inches, Nishikigoi in the 55th division and above) are categorized into the General division and Male Koi Division. They are divided into the following varieties

General Division

  1. Kohaku
  2. Taisho Sanke
  3. Showa Sanshoku
  4. Utsurimono
  5. Hikari Muji
  6. Hikari Moyo
  7. Asagi
  8. Shusui
  9. Goshiki
  10. Kawari variety
  11. A Ginrin (Gosanke)
  12. B Ginrin (other than A Ginrin)
  13. Bekko
  14. Hikari Utsuri
  15. Tancho
  16. Koromo
  17. Doitsu Koi
    (not including Shusui, Hikarimono, and Kumonryu)
  18. Kujaku (including Doitsu Kujaku)
  19. Kumonryu
A total of 19 varieties as listed above

Male Koi Division

  1. Kohaku
  2. Taisho Sanke
  3. A Ginrin (Gosanke)
  4. Showa Sanshoku, Utsurimono
  5. Hikarimono (only Hikarimono)
  6. Doitsu Koi
    (not including Shusui, Hikarimono)
  7. Kawari Koi
    (those other than the mentioned 6 varieties)
A total of 7 varieties as listed above

All exhibited Koi are considered for ballot from all judges. The following awards are given out.
  • The 41st Show Overall Champion
    (selected by all judges among all exhibited Koi)
  • Champion (1 Koi for every 360 category), and a considerable number of Runners-up
  • First Runners-up
    (a considerable number of high-grade Koi of each division selected from the Runners-up)
  • Kokugyo Prize
    (the best Koi among the award winning Koi (based on variety) of each division. a total of 33 Koi)
  • Division Overall Champions
    (selected from each division’s Kokugyo Prize winning Koi for the following)
    Baby Koi Division (up to 25cm (10inches)) Overall Champion
    Young Koi Division (from 25 to 41cm (10 to 16inches)) Overall Champion
    Adult Koi Division(from 41 to 55cm (16 to 22 inches)) Overall Champion
    Mature Koi Division(from 55 to 70cm (22 to 28 inches)) Overall Champion
    Superior Koi Division (from 70 to 80cm (28 to 32 inches)) Overall Champion
    Jumbo Koi Division(from 80 to 90cm (32 to 36 inches)) Overall Champion
    Mature Male Koi Division Overall Champion
    Jumbo Male Koi Division Overall Champion