[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by HenryC Not to ding his photo manipulation capabilities, but it appears the photo on the right was compressed making her look thinner. Here are a couple of side by sides, although I would assume Steve's shiro is now thicker than his original photo shows. My shiro, Martha (more on the name later), is also Omosako and was purchased in Feb of 2005 as a nisai, 43cm. I passed on putting her into one of Ray Abell's mudpond. Instead I brought her home where she is now 73cm, gosai. She grew very fast the first year then slowed to a more normal growth rate (grew 20cm the first year then 5cm a year for the next 2 years). I bought her just prior to Mrs. Stewart going to jail. My wife likened her sumi pattern to the old jail-bird strips. It took another 10 seconds before she named her Martha

I still have to say I like Henry's(since we dont have a numbering system for the pics we have to mention names).

My line of judging would be conformation first:
SH's Shiro thou it maybe be bigger is lenght, the thickness of the conformation isn't even. The otuzu appears to be weaker of the 2 bigger Shiros.
HC's Shiro has a more pleasant bodyline(even from the bad angle pics) the consistance of girth is even on the fish.

To sum it up: HC, stronger tailjoint, SH, weaker tailjoint

Shiroji:
HC's Shiro has the better of the Shiroji of the 2. Since we know some what of size of these fish youthfulness of the skin is key at this and old aged koi. If we match the skin tone from the tip of the nose to the tail it is more consistant on HC Shiro than the other.

To sum it up:HC, more youthful translucent skin. SH, skin looks hard(bad pics)

Sumi and Pattern:
When talking about pattern it should in some cases fit the frame or bodyline of the fish, if the above said was higher in quality pattern no longer becomes an issue unless it has little or no pattern. Pattern is to each his own, but in this case the pattern on HC Shiro fits the build. Balance and power is the pattern, which speaks clearly when you look at it.

From what I see the SH photos are too blown out to see the quality of the sumi, from what I remember of the Shiro several years ago when it came into Genki, the sumi looked ok and bold. HC Shiro, has that indigo look of depth with a hint of sumi sashi. When looking at the sumi it has a soft look and easier on the eyes.

To sum it up: SH Shiro I wish there were better pics. HC Shiro has the quality of bold, softer sumi...

Just my take on it nothing against the owners.

To put things in perspective if Campcheryl's shiro was to be judged amongst the the other 2, not knowing the size...her shiro would probably win, just based on pic and what the pic shows. By far regardless of size, it would be the best in the variety, because of it being the highest quality Shiro. JMHO