About Koi

• Kohaku are white bodied Koi with red markings. Kohaku are the father of all Koi and appreciation of Koi begins and ends with them. Ideally the color of the body is pure white like the snow on Mount Fuji. The highest grade of red is the same color as the Japanese flag. Colorations of Koi should be well defined with sharp edges and obvious distinction between the red and white body colors that do not bleed or fade into each other. Champion Kohaku Koi (See Judging Koi) do not have any hues of red on the fins, below the eyes or on the mouth area. The body markings should have an artistic pattern and flow. The more "steps" or patterns there are on the body is considered as a grading factor. (See Koi Body Markings) Kohaku - White bodied Koi with red patterns. This variety is white with red (hi) markings. The hi should be a uniform shade with well-defined edges. The white should be like snow. The hi should cover between 1/2 to 2/3 of the Koi, and be artistically distributed.
• Taisho Sanke - White bodied Koi with red and black patterns. All markings should a deep color with distinct edges. The white should be like snow. The pattern of the red and black markings should be balanced when viewed by each color and as a whole.
• Tancho - A classic Tancho Kohaku Koi has a red pattern on the top of the head and no red on the body. This group is distinguished by the red mark, or Tancho, on the head. If the Showa below, had a red circle on the head, it would be called a Tancho-Showa.
• Showa This variety is three-colored. They are mostly black with red and white markings. The large sumi marking should be dark black and the hi a deep red.
• Aka Bekko - Red Koi with black pattern.
• Ki Bekko - Yellow Koi with black pattern.
• Shiro Bekko - White Koi with black pattern.
• Hi Utsuri - Black Koi with red pattern.
• Ki Utsuri - Black Koi with yellow pattern.
  Shiro Utsuri - Black Koi with white pattern.
• Asagi - Non-metallic Koi with bluish reticulated netlike scales with a red belly. These are predominantly blue or gray on their back and their underside is red or orange. Its scalation is important. The red (hi) should extend onto the base of the pectoral fins.
• Shusui - German scaled Asagi with Doitsu scales along the dorsal fin. They are blue or gray along the dorsal line with hi (red) extending from the belly to the lateral line.
• Koromo - Red and white markings overlaid with a darker pattern. The coloration of this group is similar to the Kohaku, red (hi) markings on a white background. The hi should be a deep red to compliment the lace pattern overlay.
  Goshiki - 5 colored Koi with white, red, black, light and dark blue. Part of the Kawarimono group, this is a five-color Koi with white, red, black, blue, and dark blue. These colors are often mixed together on the body, giving a purplish appearance.
• Hikarimuji - All single color metallic Koi.
• Hikari-Utsuri - Metallic versions of Showa and Utsuri. This variety is the metallic version of the Showa (predominantly black with red and white markings) or Utsuri (black Koi with white, red or yellow markings).
• Hikarimoyo - All metallic Koi with a pattern.
  "A" Ginrin This group has sparkling scales, with golden iridescence over hi (red) and silver over white and sumi (black) areas. The Ginrin A group consists of Ginrin Kohaku, Ginrin Sanke and Ginrin Showa
  "B" Ginrin (All other Ginrin Varieties) This group has sparkling scales, with golden iridescence over hi (red) and silver over white and sumi (black) areas. The Ginrin B group is comprised of the Ginrin version of any type other than Kohaku, Sanke or Showa.
• Doitsu - Any Koi that is scaleless.
• Kawarigoi - A classification for all other Koi not included in a specific group.