So many beautiful Shiros! I've been studying them for nearly an hour, losing track of time.
JR: I think that is a fantastic koi. It is certainly not finishing too young, but so much deep, perfect Sumi at, maybe, 14"? All those windows and gaps will fill-in, I'm sure, but I think it may take a long time. She shouts future growth with those shoulders .... BUT what is she? Behind the head the almost Kage-effect speaks Utsuri, but the rest of the Sumi says Bekko. The Sumi is along the dorsal plane, not rising up from the belly. There are petite (and pretty) stripes in the pectorals, not Motoguru. The body shape is very high class ... sanke-like. Not many Shiro Utsuri have that shape. ..... Some time ago we & Brady discussed how the crossing of Showa with Sanke is leading to the creation of what is a third Sanshoku. This black & white you have posted is combining the best of Shiro Utsuri with the best of Bekko (a/k/a Sanke without Hi). It is a "Black Kohaku". If we played with the computer to convert the black to red, it could be a Torazo or Nogami Kohaku, I think. But, then we would be seeing fading Hi where we "know" Sumi will arise in the years to come. The pattern is not Utsuri. It is a Kohaku pattern. I would love to have that fish. .... Who is the breeder?
BTW, imagine how she would lose so much of her charm if she did not have Sumi on her head?
