A day with Van Keulen - final stops, Yamazaki and Marusei

Posted 12 Feb 2010 - 20:52 by Mark Gardner

From Izumiya it was back to Aikawa to visit Yamazaki again. Manabu Yamazaki is a great guy and, like Takahashi san - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/683 - one of the young breeders very much involved with the Niigata shinkokai.

Back in October I detailed that they'd just completed the construction of a new Koi house - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/547. Today was the first time I visited and it was fully operational.

Unfortunately something Manabu san already knew was that the Koi house no longer contained any Koi of the grade that Jeroen would be looking for.

On the way back to Ojiya we stopped in at Marusei for coffee and so Jeroen could discuss the purchase of some more large Koi which Hirasawa san will introduce to him later, Jeroen already owning a very high class Marusei Sanke, a Koi which took Grand Champion at the Kawaguchi Koi show in 2007.

There ended another very interesting day in the mountains, coverage of which I hope you enjoyed. Next week a couple of our other advertisers will be here and we'll be spending time with them.

If you are visiting Niigata and would like your trip to appear here then don't hesitate to get in touch.

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Last few days with Van Keulen

What a great few posts - really enjoyed being a cyber companion to the visits.

It really gives those of us not fortunate enough yet to get to Niigata - the opportunity to at least get an idea of what’s going on.

I was also wondering if you could outline the process of buying koi in Niigata. If you turn up on speck - how would you organise having the fish imported into the UK. Is there an agent there who does it all or do you have to use a UK agent? also.... I realise that it would be inappropriate to ask the price of fish that you highlight - but would it be possible to give a ballpark idea of the value!!!

Wardy

Posted by wardy on 12. February 2010 - 23:16

Shipping

Hi Wardy

If you came to Niigata you would need someone to arrange the shipment for you which involves some quite complicated paperwork. In reality turning up in Niigata and purchasing Koi on spec is not really possible or practical, even if you had someone to arrange the shipping for you the costs involved in shipping a few boxes is prohibitive, you've probably seen the previous Ornafish shipments that I've covered on the site - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/595 - they are shipping hundreds of boxes at a time.

With regards to the price of the Koi, I actually have no idea, the prices are discussed between the dealer, agent and breeder, it's none of my business.

More similar posts to follow next week as I'll be spending more time with some visiting dealers so glad you enjoyed.

Mark

Posted by Mark Gardner on 13. February 2010 - 15:28