| I'm having trouble picking as well. I usually do with Showa. It is said that showa are the most difficult to pick since the sumi development is the unknown. At a recent ZNA seminar I remember the speaker saying that even the breeders make more mistakes when selecting their keep fish or tategoi in the showa variety than in the other two gosanke varieties.
What I try to look for is balanced motoguro. At 16" I would not expect all black pecs. I also try to look for all three colors on the face when the fish matures and this looking into the crystal ball is what gives me fits. If you were to spray paint all of the fish a single color I am most impressed with B for body shape. B tail area is nice and thick and the body is impressive. Marc, I understand (or more so) the tail stop ideal in kohaku. Can you explain what to look for in a tail stop in a showa? I'm still learning and don't have any problems admitting it. In Kohaku I want the thickness and the hi to stop before the tail and have a nice chunk of white before the tail, in a showa what is the ideal? I am also a kindai showa fan because I find them easier to select personally. I remove the sumi and pick a kohaku and then balance out the sumi to fill out the pattern. Again I find this much easier to select.
Now having said all of the above, I have no idea and look forward to reading more responses from those more knowledgeable with their reasons as to why they selected what they did.
Rick |