A couple of genuine Hiroi tategoi for Van Keulen

This afternoon I had an appointment in Niigata City to get myself a Japanese driving licence - a requirement when you've been here as long as I have, with the snow clearing and the mountains opening up I'm desperate to get out exploring again, just need to get some new wheels, the Kei truck that has served me admirably for 2 years now considered uneconomical to keep on the road.

Before that I joined up with Rob and Alex of Ornafish - http://www.ornafish.com - for an appointment at Hiroi Koi Farm, not the usual Koguriyama facility, but their 'special' Koi houses situated in the town of Katakai.  I learned of their existence last year as they are located near Torazo's fry/tosai ponds you can see being harvested here - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/523 - but this was my first look inside.

The steamy Koi house below contains mainly tosai, the primary reason for our visit.  In addition to the tosai there are 2 ponds containing some very very special Koi, amongst them the 2010 All Japan Show best in variety Goshiki - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/680.  As I stood looking in the pond Kazu came over and pointed her out, I assured him that I couldn't forget her!

As mentioned, the primary reason for our visit was to see 2 tosai that Rob had managed to secure on behalf of Jeroen Van Keulen - http://www.koicentrum.com/.  These were not ordinary tosai, not tateshita, these were genuine tategoi from Hiroi Koi Farm.  Kazuyoshi, along with Taro Kataoka of Oya Koi Farm, is due to visit the Koi2000 show in Holland at the beginning of May, thereafter they will visit Jeroen's shop.  I don't know what is planned specifically, get in touch with Jeroen for more details.

Anyway, first up was this Doitsu Showa, circa 30cm female.  It's elder sister was in the same pond as the best in variety Goshiki and measured 55cm at nisai.  The Koi is from the Aka Daruma bloodline, according to my dictionary that means red prostitute but I'm sure that must be the wrong translation!

Having photographed and videoed the Doitsu Showa (i'll try and get some video online tomorrow), Kazu and his twin brother Nobu netted and bowled the Goshiki below.  As soon as I saw it the Koi struck a chord with me.  Just yesterday afternoon I'd been browsing through the latest Rinko magazine which had a feature on Goshiki.  Amongst the photographs was the Hiroi Goshiki which won the Shinsaku Kanshokai last September - http://www.niigata-nishikigoi.com/node/514.  It wasn't just the pattern but the whole style and feel of the Koi.  Sure enough Kazu confirmed that this Goshiki is from the same oyagoi as that which one the Shinsaku Kanshokai Grand Champion prize.

Both of the tosai above will remain in Japan for the summer in one of Hiroi's mud ponds.  For sure we'll catch up with both of them in the autumn when they are harvested.

Across the road is another quite large Koi house containing 4 ponds.  This Koi house is incredibly neat, tidy and clean.  The 4 ponds primarily contain Hiroi's oyagoi, customer Koi and their own larger tategoi.

The maruten Goshiki below is the female parent of the tosai above.  She is named Oji Sakura.

There is no question that Hiroi Koi Farm produce some truly awesome Koi!