1 week to go

Despite the clear blue skies today I resisted the temptation to visit the mountains, I have arrangements to be there tomorrow, and I've lots of other things to sort before next week.

This time next week along with much of the Niigata breeder community I'll be in Niigata City where, by now, the stage will be set for the 2010 All Japan Show, the vats will be ready awaiting Koi to arrive on Thursday.

The reason for the show being in Niigata is of course a commemoration of the 5th anniversary of the 2004 earthquake.  Coincidentally this is also my 5th All Japan Show and I'm just as excited about it as my first.

My first visit back in 2006 was very hastilly arranged at the last minute, I got caught up in the Internet excitement of would Mark and Martin manage to take Grand Champion at the second time of asking, having come runner up with 'The Maruten' the previous year.  I think I booked a flight on the Monday, arrived in Tokyo on the Thursday and then returned home on the following Monday.  Of course they did take the Grand Champion prize, I got swallowed up in the celebrations of what was a very historic and memorable weekend after which I vowed to return to the All Japan Show every year.

Since 2007 my time at the All Japan has become longer than that entire stay was in Japan, arriving on the Wednesday before and being there pretty much full time until the show closes on the Sunday, this year will be no exception.  If you weren't a Niigata-Nishikigoi.com visitor back in January 2009 then check these links for an idea of what you can expect next week:

http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/201

http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/202

http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/205

http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/207

http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/209

http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/210

http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/212

In 2003 a trend started amongst All Japan Grand Champions which has seen it alternate between Kohaku and Showa, 3 of each.  It's a testament to the progression of Showa that prior to that on only 2 occasions, 1970 (2nd) and 1991 (23rd), did a Showa ever take the Grand Champion prize and one of those, the Dainichi Inazuma Showa, is hailed by many as the greatest Koi of all time.  So, will the trend continue this year?  If so we are due a Kohaku Grand Champion, there are certainly several being touted as candidates including examples from Nogami and Dainichi, or will Sakai come and spoil the Niigata party?  It's 8 years since a Sanke has taken the Grand Champion prize, until the last occasion, the 34th All Japan Show, Sanke had taken Grand Champion on 15 occasions, will this year be the 16th?  A Momotaro monster?

I really can't wait to find out, this time next week we'll have some idea of what entrants are due to arrive on Thursday, be sure to come back and check them out.

Advertisers, don't forget, you have until the end of January to take advantage of the special All Japan and Wakagoi offer, click here for more details - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/200