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Good post Mike. You are of course correct in the observation that showa was a shorter /taller fish in the beginning. And it was a fish riddled with head and mouth abnormalities after a while. Today, the influence of outcrossing probably saved the mass production of this fish as so many otherwise sellable fish would tend to have these mouth and head problems. Today, showa, like Maudo's and Sakai's, are refined beasts with longer Gosanke type bodies. But still really impressive ones have a classic triangular shape from pecs to back bone. This, along with strong sumi, gives that effect of POWER that showa is meant to show.
Some of Dainichi's better showa are still quite 'bulky' ( tall thick shoulders) when they reach full adulthood. My friend owned a high end Dainichi showa that was a real moose! Really a fish that the old timers deamed about I'm sure. JR
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