Quote:
Originally Posted by RayJordan
Shinkokai - Is an association of professional koi dealers and breeders in Japan. They permit professionals outside of Japan to join as well. Their association puts on two major koi shows in Japan. The COmbined All Japan Show in Tokyo in Janaury and the Combined All Japan Young Koi show in April which moves around to different locations. These shows are judged by a selected team of their member dealers and breeders on a rotating basis usually individual member act as judges every four years or so.
When you hear someone referred to as a Shinkokai judge be aware they do not have a formal judges training program like the hobbyists associations. I am not saying they are not qualified. Many are 2nd and 3rd generation breeders/dealers and know a koi's value at a glance. However, from my personal observations they tend to rank koi according to their perceived $value. In other words expensive but past sale date koi and unfinished koi tend to be ranked higher by these judges vs hobbyist judges judging for appearence today.
I am not trying to be controversial just stating my opinion.