Day 2 with Elna Koi and Floor's Koi Shop - 1st stop Yamamatsu

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.