Here's the Koi I bought in Japan with some explanations as to why.
It was the 3rd Koi buying day before I dipped in with this Kohaku. Matsue is not so well known to everyone as some other Japanese breeders, but I had seen their Koi at Mike's, Darren's and at Nippon Nishikigoi and they seem to grow well and look great. I didnt want to buy a Kohaku really as I do suffer with shimmies, but once a group of these Koi were taken from their pond and put into a vat, the excitement grew. This one I'd seen in the pond and was not the first one added to the vat, as soon as it was I just thought that it had a great body.Not saying any of the others didnt, but this one floated my boat straight away. Keen to get this one as we all stood around the vat, I was the first to say 'I'll have that one' and felt great about it.
Nisai and around 55cm with a great body to continue growing
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The rest of the Muppet's then continued to mull over purchases and Gazza and Gregg did also buy.
We were asked if we wanted to look at some Tosai, which of course we did. Once we'd seen what was available to purchase from a vat, we agreed a price and how many to a shipping box. A box between us was more than enough, so with bowls and nets we each proceeded to bowl some up. There were a lot to choose from, so we had a bit of fun there for a short while.
I decided on these 5 after some deliberations, 3 Showa and 2 Kohaku. I was looking for clean patterns with no scattered scales. The Showa's to have white on their face is how I like them, but one of the Showa's has such good skin I purchased it anyway. The Kohaku's a selected as they has patterns on top, not wrapping around.
These will all be quarantined and heat ramped together probably at Gazza's, something we've got to finalise yet.
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Two days later and we were headed for Ueno down in Kyushu Island. This is a 3+ hour drive so many dealers do not go this far. Ueno had 2 Koi in the top 5 of the all Japan a couple of years ago, so they grow large and with quality. I was really looking forward to going here as I wanted a nice Showa.
On arrival and going in the poly Tunnels, it was apparent that it was extremely hot in there. All their Koi are grown indoors to avoid KHV and the temperature was well into the 20's and every pond having auto feeders on them. We looked in on the ponds and moved around and netted a few Koi up. I wanted a Showa with not too much Sumi, I like Kindai Showa's really.
A few were bowled and returned until we got to this one which really ticked some boxes for me. It was reasonably large at 52cm, Nisai, and had a good pattern and Sumi still to come. Once a price was agreed it was mine.
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Although Koi were being bowled it seems I was the only person interested in purchasing from Ueno, which was handy. We moved to another pond where the Koi were slightly smaller. I was after more of a Kindai and a few were bowled up. Settled on this one which again has what I like in a Showa. A white face, Kindai pattern and still some changes to occur. Didnt measure this one was around 43cm I guess. A Koi that I think will do well in UK water.
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Three days later found us back at Matsue and this time more Koi had been harvested and there were some Sanke available. Darren started netting/bowling up a few straight away and the Doitsu caught my eye. Looked great but not what I liked, I'm not keen on Doitsu really and dont think I own one. More Sanke were bowled and then some were transferred to the vat outside. Here I saw the Doitsu again and couldn't take my eyes off of it. I just really liked it, the colours were great, in proportion and I was hooked. Others had noticed my keenness on this Koi and some mickey taken ensued, but I bit the bullet and said I'd have it - much to my own surprise. I did have a certain Blond Daughter in mind when I saw it and thought Daisy would love it. That evening I emailed Daisy some pictures of her new Koi and I can just see her big smile when she opened the email attachment and saw it. It wasn't measured but I'd guess at 50cm and Nisai
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So there are my purchases from what was a fantastic trip.
It can be difficult to choose in Japan, there are so many options. Darren from A4Koi really helped us all and was always on the net and bowl, thanks Darren you just made it that much easier.
If you do go to Japan, go with a dealer(s) you can trust. Mike Snaden is just about the top dealer in the country and he is really well known and respected in Japan. Over the years he has formed firm relationships with a number of breeders, only those who's Koi are of the right stature and will grow larger though, so Mike doesnt visit breeders who grow small pretty Koi. Mike speaks Japanese which is a great help wherever you go and means no agent is required. He is usually booked up all the time, but with a bit of forward planning Mike agreed to take a bunch of Muppet's on his tour of the best breeders in Southern Japan. With Darren as well they made a great partnership and a truly great trip for a bunch of Muppet's to experience and purchase a few Koi - thanks Mike
Take a trip down to Yume Koi and see what Koi mike has, just see the quality.