A day with Select Nishikigoi International

Today I joined up with Deron Simmon of Select Nishikigoi International - www.koi.jpn.com - as he searched for stocks around Niigata.

First stop of the morning was Maruju but as is all to common around Niigata right now there was nothing really available.

From Maruju we made a brief stop at Shintaro before heading down to the village of Yamanaka to visit Yamanaka Ohya, a breeder that Deron has purchased from a number of times of the years and somewhere I've only visited on a couple of occasions.

One of Yamanaka Ohya's specialities is Shiro Utsuri and these nisai were duly purchased.

An option was taken on this larger yonsai below.  Unfortunately another example Deron was on the verge of purchasing turned out to have a damaged jaw bone upon closer inspection.

After Yamanaka Ohya stops were made at Oya Koi Farm, in no way connected to Yamanaka Ohya despite the similar names, and Otsuka.  Nothing was purchased at either farm.

I've written about Hide Hirasawa on a number of occasions on this site:

http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/508

http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/554

We made a brief stop there this afternoon where Deron purchased the 6 Doitsu Kohaku and 1 Doitsu Showa pictured below.

From Hide's we headed towards Koda, something that proved trickier than anticipated as the most direct routes are all still blocked off because of snow.

Some Goshiki and a lone Shusui were purchased.

From Kawaguchi we headed out along Route 17 towards Uonuma to visit Murata Koi Farm.  I know Shinji Murata pretty well and often speak to him but this was my first visit to the farm, when I was putting together the breeders guide and maps - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/233 - I'd attempted to locate it to pinpoint it's position without success.  Today I'd learn just how close I was to finding it despite spending some time driving round and round in circles!

The Koi house below one of several belonging to Murata.

The jumbo Tosai below was one of a few in the above house and was of interest to Deron.

The Koi house below is one of 3 situated adjacent to the family home.  Getting in is not as simple as it might be, as you may be able to work out from the image below!!

As would be expected some excellent Koi here, unfortunately the one that interested Deron and Mick Preston, a UK hobbyist who is with him, most was sold 3 days ago.

Deron also visited Niigata a month or so ago and on that visit had seen a Sanke of interest, unfortunately his pictures hadn't turned out too good so it was bowled again for some more pics.  It proved to be one of those Koi that constantly tries to jump from the bowl!

Another house contained the jumbo tategoi tosai, several of which will be going to the forthcoming Narita auction.  These are serious jumbo tosai, all 40cm+ in size.

I shall look forward to scheduling a visit to Murata in the autumn when more Koi are available.

On the way back towards Ojiya a final stop for the day was made at Susuzei Koi Farm, again a farm I've only visited on a few occasions despite knowing Suzuki san quite well.

These 3 tosai ponds below are particularly interesting.  Firstly, as you can see, they have huge aeration from the floating paddle wheels.

What is more interesting however is the filtration media that they use.  Below you can see an 'EcoBio-Block'.  You can read more about them here - http://www.ecobioblock.eu/index-en.html.  Suzuki san swears by the results he is getting and indeed invited us back tomorrow when the jumbo tosai will be netted up as Gekkan Nishikigoi magazine will be visiting tomorrow with the manufacturers to write an article.  The tosai in the pond are certainly very large, although the water clarity prevented us seeing them clearly.

Hopefully I'll be able to show and tell you more tomorrow if we manage to visit.