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I, too, agree with what Jim said. Yes, I agree that buying tosai may not be a good investment. But if one was to say that I had to purchase expensive nisai in order to be in this hobby when I first became interested then I don't think I would be here sharing my opinions with all of you today.
I was introduced to koi last year by my father-in-law who kept a few pond-grade koi in a 2,000 gallon pond. He brought me to my first koi show later that year and all I could remember was being glued to several vendors' tosai tanks. Even though I didn't have a pond then I still purchased lots of them and kept them in my father in law's pond.
Looking back at the experience puts a frown on my face as I didn't know anything about the different types of koi or conformation or quality. I just bought the brightest and most beautiful ones. Now I only have one koi from that purchase left in my pond and I have not bought a tosai in a long time. The experience also made me realize how much I have advanced in the hobby. Don't get me wrong, my knowledge is nowhere as advanced as your guys' and I still have lots to go, but this is the one thing I enjoy about this hobby. Just when you thought you have grasped something, someone somewhere somehow throws in a different view of the concept that challenges yours. I also appreciate how giving you guys are for sharing your guys' knowledge in this forum and others.
The bottom line is, yes I agree that nisai or older koi are better investments, but for those that are new to the hobby or those that want to know how a particular breeder's line develop then tosai development is a better way to go. While some hobbyists with rock bottom ponds may not want to advance in the hobby and continue to have rock bottom ponds, there are others such as myself who are eager and willing to learn everything about this hobby in hopes of one day be like the 'top dawgs' in this & other forums so that we could share our experiences and knowledge like how you guys have shared yours.
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