February, 2010
Ojiya Ballon Festival - not 3rd time lucky
Posted 28 Feb 2010 - 19:53 by Mark Gardner
This weekend was the Ojiya Balloon Festival, a major event on the Ojiya calender. This year was my 3rd attempt to see the balloons in flight, they take part in 3 races that start from Ojiya over the course of the weekend. Previous years have all been blighted by the weather.
I set my alarm for 6am to be at the start for the first race at 8am. When I awoke the sky was dull and grey so I decided to give it a miss and wait for the second race scheduled for 1pm in the hope the weather would brighten up.
On arrival at the start site the clouds started to break revealing blue sky and the sun started to shine, perfect!
The race co-ordinators lot of small helium filled balloons in order to identify the expected direction the race would take and gave the all clear for the balloons to get set up shortly before 2pm. At 2.20pm this was the first balloon inflated and ready to go.
The local Nippon Bearings team preparing their balloon.
All seemed to be going great until shortly after the picture above was taken. The first signs of things going wrong can be seen below.
A sudden increase in wind spead made it impossible to inflate the balloons and with that the race was abandoned.
I've written previously about how much I'd love to fly over Yamakoshi and see it from the air. At the balloon race site yesterday there were 3 Japanese men flying paramotors, I've got to say it looked pretty cool!!
Day 3 with Elna Koi and Floor's Koi - Tosai selection at Oya and Nogami
Posted 26 Feb 2010 - 22:58 by Mark Gardner
On Thursday I spent my 3rd day with Dirk of Elna Koi - http://www.elna-koi.be - and Floor of Floor's Koi Shop - http://www.floorskoishop.nl/. The main task of the day for Dirk and Floor selection of tosai.
First stop was Oya Koi Farm where a pond of mainly Gosanke, including some Doitsu, was netted, the bowl further down those Koi that were purchased.
Taro was in a hurry so we were finished pretty quick at Oya meaning we were too early for the 11am appointment at Nogami so a brief stop was made at Miyakoya - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/489 - so Floor and Dirk could purchase a few bits and pieces.
Nogami san was also seemingly in a hurry and in no time the tosai pond was netted by him and his wife and nets and bowls distributed for selection to take place.
The tosai pictured below were all purchased.
That largely concluded the 'essential' buying for both Dirk and Floor although we continued visiting breeders as if the right fish was available they were still interested in buying.
Visits were made to Shintaro, Izumiya and Mazaki and, although tempted by a jumbo Karashigoi at Izumiya, nothing was bought.
Day 2 with Elna Koi and Floor's Koi Shop - Yagenji, Marusei Jumbo Facility and Yamazaki
Posted 26 Feb 2010 - 21:10 by Mark Gardner
It's been a hectic couple of days and I can finally get around to updating on what's been happening, starting with the rest of Wednesday following our visit to Yamamatsu - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/715.
Next stop was Yagenji Koi Farm, not there usual Koi houses in Mushigame but a tosai house they have situated not far from the facility of Niigata Nishikigoi Direct, it was the first time I'd visited the Koi house.
Daisuke and Toshinori had been carrying out a senbetsu of some of their tosai and had prepared a sample of their Shiro Utsuri and Showa mix that was available. Having purchased Showa earlier in the week, and feeling Shiro Utsuri not overly popular in Holland and Belgium, they decided it wasn't really what they were looking for.
Having stated they were interested in hand picking some tosai of higher grade the brothers eventually agreed to net another pond of tosai for Dirk and Floor to pick through.
Unfortunately, having selected some Koi, it turned out that a deal couldn't be reached on this occasion and we headed off to lunch before making our way to Urasa to again visit the Marusei jumbo holding facility - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/705 and http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/706.
Several jumbo Kigoi were bowled before Floor and Dirk purchased the 2 below, the largest 80cm if my memory serves me correctly.
Dirk also has a Ginrin Soragoi at the facility which was purchased back in October when it was 84cm. It will be staying to grow another year in the mud pond with the hope of it reaching 90cm next autumn.
From Urasa we returned to Aikawa and made a brief stop at Miyatora to look at the tosai mixes available before carrying on to Yamazaki to again look at the tosai mixes available to order.
As seen so many times before, very healthy tosai absolutely swarming for food as you walk past the ponds.
At first glance it may not be apparent but the Koi below are Yamazaki's metallic long fins.
A number of boxes of different tosai mixes were purchased and that drew a succesful day's Koi hunting to an end.
Day 2 with Elna Koi and Floor's Koi Shop - 1st stop Yamamatsu
Posted 24 Feb 2010 - 18:47 by Mark Gardner
Today was again spent with Dirk of Elna Koi - http://www.elna-koi.be - and Floor of Floor's Koi Shop - http://www.floorskoishop.nl/, first stop this morning was for an appointment at Yamamatsu in Mushigame village to hand pick some tosai.
Whilst sitting in the office having tea I was flicking through a Koi magazine from 2006 and spotted this Koi I instantly recognised, here pictured at the 2006 Wakagoi where it was 58bu Kokugyo. Four years later and now pushing 85cm this Koi is still taking major awards, it took best in variety Sanke at this year's All Japan Koi Show - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/680
In the tosai house the pond was netted and it was soon apparent that these weren't ordinary tosai! There were some stunning Showa in the pond. At first there was a little confusion over what was being allowed to be selected compared to what was understood to have been previously agreed. It seems that the Koi were of a higher grade than previously expected/anticipated.
I've only really got to know Toshiyaki Sakai over the last 12 months, he really is another great character.
Having selected around 10 Showa tosai in a bowl Floor and Dirk narrowed it down to 1 each, as mentioned they are serious tosai with a serious price tag.
Having agreed the purchase of the 2 Showa they enquired whether any similar Sanke or Kohaku were available. After a bit of umming and arghing Toshiyaki agreed to net another pond however this had not been sorted through and as such some would not be for sale.
Nine Koi were bowled although we all knew one of these was not for sale, it had leapt out straight away in the net as quality, it was only bowled because Toshiyaki san allowed me to photograph it.
The Kohaku below was one that I'd seen in the net and suggested as a possible, it remained my favourite of those bowled and was duly purchased by Floor. The pattern really appeals to me and I hope I can see pictures of it again in the future.
Dirk purchased the Kohaku below.
This Maruten Yondan Kohaku was the one which, despite several requests, Toshiyaki san would not even quote a price on, simply stating 'no sell' with a big grin, 'tabun jyugatsu', maybe sell it in October. I know Dirk will be keen to see it again when harvested.
At first it seemed liked it may turn into a fruitless morning at Yamamatsu, in the end Floor and Dirk both left very happy. Some video of their purchased Koi will be uploaded later.
Day with Elna Koi and Floor's Koi Shop - final stops Marusei and Maruhiro
Posted 23 Feb 2010 - 20:46 by Mark Gardner
Having finished at Nogami we had time for one final stop, a drive to Marusei and next door Maruhiro.
A couple of weeks ago Dirk had seen a Purachina of around 65cm at Marusei but open enquiring it wasn't available. Today the same Koi was still in the same pond and Dirk enquired again, today it was available. It was duly purchased along with this interesting Shusui.
Next we went over to Maruhiro's Koi house to look at his tosai sample and then some of his other Koi. He promptly bowled up these Koi below, Koi he declared as a 'Maruhiro Original', stating they were Ginrin Ochiba Utsuri.
I mentioned the other day a very nice Sanke that I saw at Maruhiro last spring - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/304. Having reminded myself about it I kept an eye out for it today. I have to say it looks very good, hopefully will get an updated picture in the next few days.
These tosai below probably inhabit the largest tosai pond in Niigata.
I've mentioned before that the large premises now occupied by Marusei used to be a sports hall - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/692. If you look closely below you'll note that this pond used to be the swimming pool!
Did I mention what a character Maruhiro is?
More to come from Marusei tomorrow with a return visit to the jumbo holding facility seen last week - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/705 and http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/706 - as well as joining them as they pack Koi for the Ornafish shipment due to leave Niigata tomorrow evening.
Day with Elna Koi and Floor's Koi Shop - Isa Koi Farm
Posted 23 Feb 2010 - 20:09 by Mark Gardner
At 12.30 we visited Isa's tosai house where yesterday Mitsunori had completed the sembetsu of tosai in one of the ponds and had agreed to allow Dirk and Floor to hand select from the remaining Koi.
The original deal had been to pick 10, in the end Mitsunori agreed to allow them to pick 30 between them.
Following lunch at Gusto - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/143 - we headed to Nogami, primarily to see the tosai available for hand selection. As with Dainichi earlier in the day - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/711 - having seen them arrangement has been made to return later in the week to hand select.
Also at Nogami was the 90bu Kokugyo winner from the All Japan Show and 2008 Niigata Nogyosai winner.
Day with Elna Koi and Floors Koi Shop - visit to Aoki - Goshiki Paradise
Posted 23 Feb 2010 - 19:29 by Mark Gardner
On our return from Kase we stopped in at a breeder whom he works very closely with, Aoki.
I've written many times about my interest in Goshiki, a variety with ever increasing popularity and prominence on the show scene. Aoki was one of the Niigata breeders who took a Sakura prize at the All Japan Show with a Goshiki in 40bu class - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/690. I've also featured Aoki's Goshiki here previously - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/366.
For anyone with an interest in Goshiki today Aoki really was Goshiki paradise.
The visit started off with Aoki san netting out a small sample of the tosai Goshiki which were available for sale. Dirk and Floor enquired whether it was possible to hand pick some of the tosai. After some begging Aoki san reluctantly agreed on the basis that he could keep any that he deemed to be tategoi as there were still many in the pond. A scoop of a net and 60 or so tosai Goshiki and Doitsu Goshiki were in a bowl. Having picked through those Dirk and Floor were still short of the number they were after and asked whether it was possible to have a fresh sample. Aoki san obliged.
In the end just under 40 Goshiki and Doitsu Goshiki were picked out, some really nice examples amongst them.
As mentioned, Aoki san agreed to the hand picking of the tosai on the basis that he could keep any that he thereafter deemed tategoi. The picture belows show the 5 that he picked out of the ones chosen by Floor and Dirk. As soon as the one on the far right was first placed in the bowl it screamed 'quality'.
Aoki san picked one of the above Koi and placed it in the bowl with the others selected and said 'service', meaning it was a gift. I asked for the one below to be left in the bowl to photograph it whilst the other 3 were returned to the pond.
The more and more I looked at it the more and more I was falling for this Koi and I turned to Aoki san and asked the price, fully expecting him to say 'not for sale', but if something reasonable came back then maybe I'd buy it. Aoki san did offer a price, needless to say many multiples more than the others, and Dirk immediately bit his hand off. Thereafter Aoki san clearly stated that this was a excellent tategoi and would be an excellent Koi for shows.
A shot of some of the older examples of Goshiki, some for sale, some not for sale.
Floor asked for this one to be bowled and it was duly purchased.
In the adjacent Koi house another 4 examples were bowled and purchased by Floor.
Also in the same Koi house were several ponds containing mixed tosai available for purchase by the box. This 'mix' also contained some very interesting looking Goshiki.
Whilst it was midday there was no time for lunch just yet, the unscheduled stop at Aoki had meant a midday appointment at Isa to hand pick tosai had been put back to 12.30.
Day with Elna Koi and Floor's Koi Shop - first stops Dainichi and Kase
Posted 23 Feb 2010 - 18:18 by Mark Gardner
Today was spent with Dirk of Elna Koi - http://www.elna-koi.be - and Floor of Floor's Koi Shop - http://www.floorskoishop.nl/.
This is actually their second visit to Niigata in a matter of weeks, both were here to visit the All Japan Show and, having been around a few breeders in Niigata, decided to come back for more!
First stop of the morning was Dainichi to look at a nisai Showa they'd looked at last time they were here and also to look at the tosai available.
The Showa was bowled again for inspection. On looking in the bowl Shigeru remarked that this is an excellent Koi and most people don't understand Koi like this. The Showa is of Gechapin bloodline and 61cm. Shigeru stated this Koi has potential to get near 1m in length. Dirk has an option on it.
Next it was to the tosai house where we'd been last week - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/708 - so Dirk and Floor could check out the tosai. Hand picking tosai is generally a 2 stage process. Most breeders are still feeding their better/larger tateshita quite heavily and in order to net the pond for hand selection feeding has to be ceased for a day before. As such there is no point making an appointment to hand pick unless you know you want to buy. Having seen the tosai an appointment has been made to return later in the week.
From Dainichi we headed across to Koshiji and a visit to Kase, primarily to look at tosai mixes that were available but also in case there were any nisai or older of interest.
The general tosai mix containing Goshiki and a range of metallic varieties.
I mentioned Jeroen purchasing some Gin Matsuba at Marudo a week or so ago - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/686 - the picture below shows tosai Gin Matsuba and Doitsu Gin Matsuba at Kase. Seems they are very 'in vogue', these are now sold out.
The Pearl Gin Rin Ochiba and Ginrin Ginga we saw back in November at Kase - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/587. Seems Kase san made a wise decision producing them as they've also proved rather popular.
With no older Koi of interest we headed off to make a previously unscheduled, but very interesting, visit to Aoki.
The week ahead on Niigata-Nishikigoi.com
Posted 22 Feb 2010 - 17:13 by Mark Gardner
Today was a quiet day after the activities of last week. With glorious weather outside I decided to take a walk to Torazo. When I got there no sign of anyone so I sat watching the Koi for half an hour or so before making my way back home. Just as yesterday I missed Saito san by a matter of minutes so too today did I miss Tsuyoshi san. Just a few hundred meters into my walk home Tsuyoshi san drove past me returning home. I decided to carry on.
Tomorrow I'll be joining up with Elna Koi from Belgium as they select tosai at Dainichi, Isa and Nogami so that should be a very interesting day.
Thereafter this week plans still being put in place for various things.
One thing is for certain, the week will finish with a party with big balloons as the International Balloon Festival comes to Ojiya.
You can see more from last year's event here - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/249 - hopefully we'll be blessed with weather the same as the last 2 days.
A surpise in the Shintaro tosai house
Posted 21 Feb 2010 - 22:07 by Mark Gardner
With the a clear blue sky today, a surprise change from the snow that had been falling all of yesterday evening, I decided to head up to Mushigame. As it's been a few weeks since I've walked to Mushigame I decided not to bother booking the 'love bus' - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/646 - if it was there I'd get it, if not I'd walk. Unsurprisingly it wasn't there so walk it was.
I've not seen or spoken to Saito san for a couple of weeks and my plan was really just to pop in for a coffee, have a chat, have a look at the tosai, then walk back down to Iwamagi.
As I walked up the hill to Mushigame I spotted a silver kei truck coming around the curves in the distance above the snow line. Sure enough it was Saito san heading off somewhere.
I continued up the hill, stopped for refreshments at the convenience store, and popped into see the Shintaro tosai. As soon as I walked in the Koi house I was shocked, not because there was a Nexus filter running, I'd seen that on Gibbo's site - http://www.koitours.com/japan-blog/the-first-nexus-310-in-japan.html - but because of the size of the tosai!!
Not having spoken to Saito san I can't be definite but I'm sure they've been sorted through and thinned out since I last looked a few weeks back.
Of course, as ever when visiting a tosai house the Koi came charging for a little food I took the liberty of offering as I sat resting my rather aching legs.
Some great looking Sanke and Showa, of course I've a soft spot for the Showa! I can't wait to see some of them close up next time the ponds are netted.
