Interesting thread and comments. To assume that everyone will evolve to a certain level in this hobby that requires an mandatory understanding that tosai are basically a worthless investment, and only 3 or perferably 4-5 year old koi are where you get the most bang for your buck, in my mind is unrealistic. It's economically restrictive for one thing. Most are not even going there in their koi journey.....period.
Most people dont show, and some that do eventually stop for any number of reasons. I would venture to say that tosai make up a large percentage of show entries at their initial age and their subsequent return to the local show tanks over the next few years. Without their presence, I really don't see much of a show entry wise, and therefore not much of a show as far as participation by members and hopeful newbies.
Now I'm not dissagreeing with the primise you get a better cut flower with older koi, but only that most people won't arrive there. Therefore tosai have their place and probably always will. It also is cheap fun...or should I say cheaper.
I'll give an example.....few years back I picked two nice kohaku's with excellent patterns from a $25 tank. They were 5-5 1/2 inches and I bought them to keep my then aquarium in the office running. Dick was there and I showed him the two koi, and asked what he thought. Both would end up shiro muji. Well he was right on one of them, but the other now swims in my pond and at 14 inches started to barely show what it really was....Ai goromo, and developing slowly with an already beautiful 6 step kohaku pattern. Now about 17 inches. So you never know....although Dick did on one of them.
Point is that yeah the Ai goromo will never be world class like some you see in Japan shows or magazines, but right now would sell very quickly at a koi shop for $300+(and I know that because I managed a koi business for a friend for several years). I would also do well at a show...not just because of lack of goromos but because of it's overall appearance.
Just food for thought.
