Sigh...
Sumimasen. I was tempted to
just say the old cliche of "Koi Keeping Begins and ends with Kohaku...", but that was almost not even funny.
On second thought, Kohaku
IS the beginning. Showa are also my favorite, but the lessons to learn are much more difficult and are built upon "earlier lessons". But possibly more rewarding. Walk b4 you run, though. If you get the joke, you have already made some progress.
I am
no sensei, no "extension" or substitute for Mr Sakai, or even have 1% of the knowledge of the "Challenger". I am but just a student. As are we all. I firmly believe even Mr Sakai himself might say he was a student of koi.
Dick and I have been listening and learning from Mr Sakai for years. While your statement about what he knows and does not has a certain "Western" logic and could have been said "tongue in cheek", please step much more carefully of what you do not know. It would be easy for some to dismiss what I just wrote, but may I humbly suggest you do not.
You have some good questions, and I am happy to help if I can. BUT.... I have a few suggestions that may prove somewhat useful in your journey. Some of these you may already be doing, have done, or planned to do, or not been aware of. Definately
in a Particular order.
1) Read. What books, magazines and videos do you have in your koi library? Good starting places..Koi Kichi 1 and 2, NI Magazine, The New Vision Video series, This and other BBS and web sites, Koi Fixx, and many others.
2) Join a Koi Club in your area such as Camellia or NorCal ZNA... You may, and probably are, already a member.
3) Find a true Sensei. I am happy and honored to help as much as I can, but there is
no substitute for a 1 on 1, in person, discussion and viewing of good and great koi. In Northern California where you are there is no shortage of wonderful koi people who can fill this role, and likely would be willing. Many were at the show this past weekend. All you have to do is ask,
and be a good student.
4) Keep going to Koi Shows, preferably ones where your Sensei can discuss koi with you. Show your koi. I learned much faster when it was about my own koi.... Sometimes the unclear lessons become clear later when you have had time to reflect and study the koi you were talking about. Work on the Show Committee and during the shows. You never know when the gem will come to you and from whom. Attitude of Gratitude. This will make more sense the further in you get into this hobby, or in life for that matter.
5) Go to Japan for koi. A class requirement for graduation.
One good koi friend and world class koi keeper once said to me during a trip to Japan that he "wouldn't let anyone who had been to Japan for koi less than 5 times judge his koi." Perhaps a bit extreme for some, but such is the esteem with which those who have made that journey to "Mecca"are often held. But
the important thing is what you learn by going. Multiple trips magnify that learning exponentially, not linearly.
6) A wise person (one of
my sensei) once said to me; "The moment you think you know everything about koi, this hobby humbles you". Don't forget this one most of all. These words will ring true inside you when that time comes to you, as it unfortunately does to most, if not all, of us. Sometimes more than once. In the meantime, don't get completely comfortable and "locked in "with what you learn. Keep an open and vigilent mind.
I hope this did not come across as patronizing or condescending. It certainly is not meant that way.
Keep your enthusiasm and keep having fun. That is a big reason I broke from what I usually do with my posts and responded more fully to your questions. Never lose that wide eyed funand thirst for learning. Stay away from those who would take it from you, as unfortunately many will.
This is a wonderful and addicting hobby that creates an inner peace for many in it. One of the things I believe that can make a lifetime well spent. Dō itashi mashite