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The pattern is wonderful. The Sumi quality does not look to be the best in the photo, but at that size you may still be seeing baby Sumi overlaying what will become the mature Sumi, so tough to say. Hi quality seems "OK", but really need to see it in person to tell if it is better than just "OK". Body is scrawny, giving the impression of being male. However, if others from that pond are also thin, it could just be the effect of food levels in the pond where it was grown. For a koi of over 12 months to be only about 10" and so thin tells me this one has not had a lavish food source... perhaps too much competition, not enough culling in the mudpond?
Since I love Showa and their dramatic patterns, I would look at this one closely for signs of deep, lacquer black... particularly along the dorsal. If the Hi is even from head to tail, I'd be interested in acquiring it (even if the Hi is not the thickest). But, if the Hi is uneven, giving a bit of a blotchy look, my interest would wane.
Price is a matter of opinion, purpose and means. What I'm willing to spend for the pleasure of watching a koi develop is not the same as I would spend for one I would like to show someday, and what seems like a modest amount to me may seem expensive to someone else. This is one I would like to watch develop daily, but I'm not convinced it is one I would be thinking of keeping permanently... makes a difference on what I'd be willing to pay. Make sense?
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