Nishikigoi are most often referred to as “koi” by those who speak English. That’s probably due to the fact that “koi” is easier to say. Regardless of what we call them, they are basically carp that have been bred for color though most koi-keepers will refer to them as more of an obsession! It’s hard to resist buying “just one” for the pond — and it’s tough to decide which one to buy. They come in so many different colors and styles. It’s almost like picking out a car or a new sofa!
The Origin of Nishikigoi
No one, it seems, can agree on the exact origin of these festive-colored carp. Perhaps no one truly knows. It is known that nishikigoi have been around for thousands of years. They definitely have Asian ancestry probably bred in China first, possibly more for a food source, then the art was mastered much later in Japan. The carp was used as a subject in many Ancient Asian sculptures and drawings. Asians believe these beautiful fish bring good luck and prosperity especially when presented as a pair.
The true art of breeding beautiful nishikigoi began during the early 1800’s when Japanese breeders found a red-cheeked koi in with all the traditional black ones. As the century went on they perfected the Kohaku variety then went on to develop the Sanke and Showa similar to the ones we know today. More varieties were developed by the Japanese during the first half of the 20th century. Surprisingly the Germans had a hand in the development of a few varieties as well. The Doitsu (leather skinned or scale-less) koi is one of their most famous contributions. The Japanese continue to hold the honors of having the richest history in the development of koi though it is only a little more than a few centuries since the Japanese first began vigorous breeding efforts.
During the last half of the century we’ve seen great improvements in the quality of koi bred in Israel and the United States, the US being responsible for perfecting the Butterfly Koi. The United Kingdom, though never a big breeder of koi, have been big koi-keepers since the early 1970’s. In the US koi-keeping fever spread from Hawaii (being nearest to Japan) to the West Coast (mainly California) to the East Coast and most recently is becoming very popular here in Georgia.
What’s In a Name?The Japanese term “nishikigoi” translates to “brocaded carp”. Most often the name of a certain variety of nishikigoi is a Japanese term that literally translates into the color and/or pattern and scales of the fish. Sometimes it includes the era of Japanese history when the variety was initially introduced.
For example, a white koi with red and black markings is referred to as a “Sanke” or “Sanshoku” which literally translates into “tri-colored”. The type of Sanke introduced at the Tokyo Exhibition of 1914 is referred to as a “Taisho Sanke” because 1914 fell during the Taisho period of Japanese history.
Creating the Varieties of Koi
It has always helped me to remember the varieties of koi by breaking them down to the simplest variety first then adding colors, markings and scale-types. The koi becomes a new variety with every edition.
Steps to Creating a Sanke
Begin with a solid white koi — a Platinum Ogon.
Add black spots. The koi is now a Shiro Bekko (white tortoise-shell). The perfect Shiro Bekko has no sumi (black) on his head and his head is solid white with the least amount of flesh tone as possible.
Add red in spots all over the Shiro Bekko and you end up with a Sanke (tri-colored) - a white koi with red and black “spots”. A Sanke can have no black on his face.
Begin with a solid black koi, a Karasugoi (crow koi).
Add white marbeling. The koi is now a Shiro Utsuri (white reflection). The white of the Shiro Utsuri should be snow white and the sumi (black) as black as India ink.
Add red all over the body and wha-lah! You have a Showa (tri-colored) - a black koi with red and white markings. A sign of a good Showa is a distinct lightning mark across the face.
Start with a Platinum Ogon.
Add red all over the body — no black this time at all. We now have a Kohaku (red and white). No koi collection should be without one. Its red should appear as if it were painted on like nail polish with no blurred borders against the white. Kohakus are further classified by the number of steps (red spots) on the koi. If the Kohaku has a single, continuous, jagged pattern that looks similar to lightning that extends from the face to the tail it is classified as an Inazuma Kohaku. A Nidan Kohaku has 2 steps. A Sandan Kohaku has 3 steps (such as the one pictured) and a Yondan Kohaku has 4 steps.
A solid white koi with a single red mark on his head and where there is no other red on the koi is not called a Kohaku — it is a Tancho. The Tancho gets its name from the single red spot on its head that resembles the single red marking of the Tancho Crane. The Japanese especially prize the Tancho because the red circular spot against its snowy, white body resembles their national flag. Tancho markings can be heart-shaped, round, oblong or square. It should not extend below the eye of the koi.
If a Shiro Bekko has a single tancho mark on its head it is then considered a Tancho Sanke because now it’s a tri-colored koi. The trait that makes it a Tancho Sanke is that the ONLY red on the fish is the tancho mark.
The same applies to the Shiro Utsuri. Add the single tancho mark. It now becomes a Tancho Showa.
Creating Variety By Changing the Scales
We’ve only covered a very few varieties of nighikigoi. There are so many more and some yet to be classified. Traditionalists consider Kohakus, Showas, Utsurimonos and Sankes to be the supreme varieties of nishikigoi. These opinions are reflected in judging at koi shows. Seldom is any other variety considered for a Grand Champion trophy. More often than not Grand Champions have regular scales but lately we’re seeing that rule bend a bit. By changing the type scales and skin of the fish we can further classify these and other varieties.
We can credit koi-lovers in Germany for developing nishikigoi that are either scale-less or have only a row of patterned scales along the spine (as pictured) and/or lateral line of the fish. The scale-less skin of the Doitsu is soft and feels like leather. There’s nothing more eye-catching than a Doitsu Platinum Ogon swimming gracefully against the back-drop of a black liner. When a Sanke is scale-less it is named a Doitsu Sanke. A scale-less. 2-step Kohaku would be considered a Doitsu Nidan Kohaku ...and so on…
Shusui (autumn sky)This variety depends on its Doitsu skin for identification. It is one of only two blue varieties of koi. A Shusui is a pale blue koi with a row of navy scales down the back and has orange below the lateral line. A Shusui with orange above the lateral line is considered a Hi Shusui.
Gin Rin (diamond)
Gin Rin scales shine like diamonds. Almost any variety of nishikigoi can be a Gin Rin. If a Kohaku’s scales shine it is considered a Gin Rin Kohaku. Even the scales along the spine of a Doitsu can be Gin Rin. I’ve seen a few come through the store — one was a gorgeous Gin Rin Shusui.
Matsuba (pine cone)
A variety of koi that is solid-colored with a black net or pine-cone pattern along his back is called a Matsuba. A Ki Matsuba is a yellow koi with this pattern and a red one is considered a Aka Matsuba. A Matsuba cannot have Doitsu skin though it can have Gin Rin scales.
Asagi (pale blue)
The other blue variety of nishikigoi depends on its Matsuba-patterned scales for identification. An Asagi (pale blue) is a pale, blue koi with a navy netted Matsuba pattern and has orange below the lateral line. Other varieties make use of the Matsuba pattern. The Kujaku (peacock) is a white Matsuba with orange colored spots. It gets its name by resembling a peacock’s feather.
Hikari (metallic)
Not as brilliant as the Gin Rin scale, the Hikari shimmers instead of shines. A solid-yellow koi with satin scales is considered a Yamabuki, not a Ki Ogon. A Ki Ogon has regular scales, not Hikari scales. One inconsistency I’ve found with this is the Platinum Ogon. Platinum is definitely metallic white yet most often it is called a Platinum Ogon.
Koromo (robed)
A Koromo is a white koi with red markings whose scales are “robed” (outlined) with a different color. The scales of an Ai Goromo (blue robed) are outlined with navy blue.
Other Notable Varieties of Nishikigoi
Chagoi
— Brown or olive tone koi with definite net pattern or doitsu skin or shines like a penny if it is a Gin Rin Chagoi.Soragoi
— Grayish-blue koi with definite net pattern or doitsu skin or shines like gun metal if it is a Gin Rin Soragoi.Ochiba
— A Soragoi with orange markings.Midori
— A greenish-yellow koi with doitsu skin. Can be difficult to find.Yamabuki
— A solid yellow koi with a metallic sheen.Kumonryu
— A black doitsu koi with areas of billowing white. An interesting variety that changes its color mixture throughout its life.Kikusui
— A Kahaku with a metallic sheen.Goshiki
— A white koi with the same blue matsuba pattern of the Asagi overlaid with red kohaku markings.From Volume 13
of What's Up, Doc?, March / April / May / June, 2001
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