| I really like Showa especially the older style. Well these are my two that are about 7-8 inches. Remember I am on a budget! Just starting out so no clue really what to look for. First one - I wanted to buy one first on conformation and pattern second, looked for one that did not have alot of red and was heavy on the black in the face shoulder area. Black that is up looks really deep, Black has come up overlaying the red on the body (Kasane sumi ?), I heard that is considered unrefined in Japan. Really bought it for its conformation and tail thickness. Second fish - I wanted to "buy the red" and take it to the other extreme to compare as a learning process on development between the two. Red is beautiful on this one and really like the tsubo sumi band that is starting to show between the two hi plates, if it develops it looks like it will wrap the koi. (on a side note) Very funny eater starts at bottom and comes straight up very slowly then stays about 1/2 inch under the surface perfectly straight up and down sucking big gulps of water.
Lester |