[MikeM]

I've read various references to carp, goldfish and garden ponds in Japanese histories, but nothing quite indicating a true hobby with a competitive aspect prior to the 1800s. Until now, that is. In a curious "narrative history", Samurai William (G. Milton, 2002), there is a passage (at p. 197) concerning Richard Cocks, an Englishman charged to establish a trade facility in Japan in the early 1600s, I found quite interesting:

"Cocks also developed a passion for goldfish, which he collected with an avidity that surprised even the Japanese. His enthusiasm had been sparked by Li Tan's brother, who presented him with 'a littell fishpond (or jarr) with live fish in it.' [Li Tan was a Chinese trader in the area.] Cocks soon started a collection, buying so many prize fish that they became the talk of Hirado. His aquarium attracted the envy of the local nobility, who tried to get their hands on some of the finer specimens. Often, they were extremely blunt in expressing their desire for one or other of Cocks's golden friends. On one occasion, King Foyne's brother learned that Cocks had a particularly fine fish 'and sent desire to have it'. Cocks was reluctant to part with it, but knew that he would cause great offense by refusing, 'so I gave it him.' Nobutoki was delighted and showed his gratitude by sending back 'a great black dogg'.

"Cocks soon grew annoyed at the constant plunder of his goldfish and did his best to ignore the requests from Hirado's fish-obsessed nobles. But all too often he was forced to relent:'The King of Hirado sent to beg my two golden fishes', he wrote on one occasion, '...which, much against my will, I gave him."

The reference to "King" Foyne is to the local feudal lord or daimyo. The time period was around 1614. Can't you just see the nobles of the place trying to one up one another by obtaining the more prized fish? ...And poor Cocks does not seem to have figured out that he should have gotten into a fish trade with the Chinese traders to supply the wealthy Japanese while waiting the two years it took for a ship to return from England to Japan. But, Cocks does not seem to have been able to think outside the box when it came to trade opportunities.

As with all such readings shared on this board, I do not vouch for the substance of what is quoted. I only vouch for the accuracy of the quotation.