Variety Guide #10 Matsuba

Today, I introduce Matsuba.
Matsuba comes under the Kawari group. Kawari is one of the largest koi classifications.

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Matsuba
Matsuba are koi that combine a solid, metallic colored base with a black net pattern. The base color of Matsuba can vary.
Gin Matsuba have a white base color, while Ki Matsuba have a yellow base color, and Aka Matsuba have a red base.



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Variety Guide #09 Shusui

Today, I introduce Shusui.

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Shusui
Shusui are the scaleless (doitsu/German) version of Asagi. The blue net pattern is formed by a single row of scales along the dorsal line at the top of the back.
Like Asagi, the belly, gill plates, sides and fins of Shusui display an orange or red pattern.



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Variety Guide #08 Asagi

Today, I introduce Asagi.
It became the origin of KOI(the colored carp) by the pigment of the black carp falling out, and having changed white.

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Asagi
Asagi are koi that display a blue net-like pattern on the back , complemented by red or orange on the belly, gill plates, fins and body.
The patterns are because of the scales. The red or orange pattern will develop up from the bottom of the body as the koi ages. Top quality Asagi have a clear red pattern that does not extend above the lateral line.

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Variety Guide #07 Ki Utsuri

Today, I introduce Ki Utsuri.
This is a kind of Utsurimono.

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Ki Utsuri
Ki Utsuri, by far the rarest type of Utsuri, combine patterns of yellow over a lacquerish black body. Ki Utsuri are judged by the same criteria as Shiro and Hi Utsuri.
Ki Utsuri which has beautiful and clear yellow patterns is very rare.

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Variety Guide #06 Hi Utsuri

Today, I introduce Hi Utsuri.
This is a kind of Utsurimono.

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Hi Utsuri
Hi Utsuri combine the lacquer-black base color with patterns of deep red or orange. Many Hi Utsuri will display a dull orange pattern at a young age, which may develop into a brighter and more desirable red pattern as the koi grows and matures.
Hi Utsuri which an red and black are deep and clear is precious.

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Variety Guide #05 Shiro Utsuri

Today, I introduce Shiro Utsuri.
This is a kind of Utsurimono.

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Shiro Utsuri
Shiro Utsuri are koi with a black base overlained by white markings. We enjoy contrast and dynamism of the black and white.
If red marikings were excluded form Showa Sanke, it will be a Shiro Utsuri.

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Variety Guide #04 Tancho

Today, I introduce Tancho.
Tancho is a very characteristic KOI.

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Tancho
Tancho has one red circle on the head. The size, symmetry and placement of the Tancho mark are main factors in determining the quality of koi. Tancho are highly regarded in the Japanese koi industry for their resemblance to the Grus japonensis, or Red-Crowned Crane. In the world, Tancho is popular because the Tancho mark is similar to Japanese flag.

Although the Tancho mark can appear in many varieties of koi, the word "Tancho" by itself is almost always used to refer to the bird, Tancho Kohaku.

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Variety Guide #03 Showa Sanke

Today, I introduce Showa Sanke.
It is very similar to Sanke/Taisho Sanke.

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Showa Sanke
Showa Sanke, more commonly known as Showa, are koi that display white and red patterns over top of a black base color. Showa can be easily confused with Sanke/Taisho Sanke. In Showa, the black patterns will wrap all the way around the body, and the design of the color is more complicated. Also, Showa will have black patterns on the head, and Sanke will not.

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Variety Guide #02 Taisho Sanke

Today, I introduce Taisho Sanke.

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Taisho Sanke
Taisho Sanke, or Sanke for short, are koi with a solid white base overlaid by patterns of both red and black. A black design does not enter the head only with a red design and is in the chest bire on the basis of the thing which a black striped pattern slightly enters. It is commonly said that a high quality Sanke pattern begins with a great Kohaku pattern, to which the black is a welcome complement.

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Variety Guide #01 Kohaku

At first let's introduce a KOI from the kind.
Different one is the color and design even if I say a kind.
I introduce following one kinds today.

The Essential Book of Koi: A Complete Guide to Keeping and Care(Amazon.com)

Kohaku
Kohaku, the oldest and most well known variety of koi, have a solid white base with patterns of red overlaid on top of the white. Top quality Kohaku display a bright, blemish-free white combined with deep, vibrant red tones. The even distribution of the pattern along the body is also very important.

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