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It is interesting how 'new' and 'old' Showa have evolved. But, although selecting Showa from newly hatched fry would be basically the task of selecting only black fry (the opposite with 'new' Kindai as mentioned by Bekko), in reality, even at the first cull, the Koi will have a Kohaku pattern, with the Sumi already disappearing. 99% of Koi keepers would never see this, and even in the case of choosing a Koi of 4 or 6 months old, the Hi pattern should be well and truly stabilised by this time. If it weren't, then the Koi would be at best, unstable.
Anyways, below is the Showa that was posted yesterday. This Koi was 26cm as Tosai, and in the second pic was yonsai of 61cm. As Tosai, the beni was very deep red, which resulted in the Koi turning male, as presviouly brought up ny Arthur. At 61cm, the Koi had turned out very well, and with the Sumi being reasonably good, but not wonderful. Sumi quality in Japan (and in my eyes) is everything with Showa. No Sumi quality: no value. However, I think we need to keep things in perspective here, insofar as if you pay perhaps $300 for a Koi, you can't expect too much, although you can still get a lot of fun from the Koi, and still be proud with your achievement a few years down the line. I think that when buying small Koi, you need to think futher down the line of how much 'fun' you had for the money! All things being equal, a higher price, will mean higher expectations. High expectations can often lead to disappointment.
Mike.
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