2009 in pictures - May
Posted 29 Dec 2009 - 00:45 by Mark Gardner
Bullfighting, like Koi breeding, is a major part of Yamakoshi life. On 3rd May the 2009 bullfight season got underway in Koguriyama, many famous Koi breeders participating.
Along with the bullfights and Koi the mountains are of course famous for their rice production, early May sees the tiny rice plants put out in the paddy fields.
Back in October 2008 I acquired this Goshiki from Maruju Koi Farm for my friend Andrew. This picture was taken when it returned from its winter stay in Saitama on 9th May. It was then placed into one of Maruju's mud pond for the summer. Keep an eye out for it in the October update.
13th May was the first of several reduced sleep nights as spawning got into full swing, these Kohaku spawning at Torazo.
As I mentioned in the April 'review' the sakura put on a spectacular display this year. In mid May azaleas were in full bloom in the mountains and all over Ojiya.
Through 2008 and 2009 the Shintaro Showa tosai had been of particular interest to me, on 21st May they were released to their summer mudponds, somewhere I spent a lot of time over the summer checking their progress. The Koi below one of my favourites, again keep an eye out for it in the October update.
In the April update I mentioned Torazo's nisai being released. I spent much time looking at those Koi through the summer, here are some of them feeding towards the end of May.
A favourite picture of mine from 2009, a beautiful late spring morning in Mushigame, taken 29th May.
May drew to a close with another sleepless night as Torazo spawned 'Picasso', the new Kohaku oyagoi that had been runner up at the 2008 ZNA All Japan Show, a Koi whose offspring I've followed with interest throughout the year.
