A surpise in the Shintaro tosai house

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.