Let me see, you are right, you are comparing apples with oranges. But I did not compare the top Japanese breeders with American breeders. That would be like comparing a Lotus with a Saturn. The statement was made that they are obviously domestic stock, and I observed that they are very simular grade to Japanese stock that I have seen imported. Not necessarily top breeders, but Japanese stock none the less. When you compare Japanese apples with American apples, you will find that you are more honest in the comparison.
Then there are culls and there are culls. There are millions of culls that are produced each year that have very limmited salability. Many go into the fishing industry in this country. Cant say about Japan. Then there are several different levels of pond grade, collector grades, and what we know as show grade, each with its own following and pricing structure. While the salable grades are the main focus of many breeders here in the US, there are those that focus more on the top grades, but sell of the lower grades to make ends meet. But then of course, I am sure the Japanese sell off the lower grades as well, why keep lower grade fish? The object is to keep the top 1/2-5% and grow them out another year. Maybe not even that high a number.
Interesting. So you are saying that the top Japanese breeders (Masters) breed Koi, they are going for broke, trying to nail the top prize, the grand champ at the all Japan Show, or other shows that have the proper stature for their fish. Their main goal is not to make money, but to develop and produce that grand champ?
As a case in point, Visit JKO for a few weeks. They regularly offer fish that many of the domestic breeders would cull out, but yet they are Japanese imported Koi? Many fish offered there regularly would be culled by breeders like Brady and Brett, who would use them as bass food.
So that is directly the opposite of what I have seen first hand, and what has been posted by many others. They have posted that they are just like any other business man, the bottom line rules what they can do for next year. And as has been posted, they are very driven by and for the money they make on the fish. Just like here.
Now, when you look at the breeders that are after the chase for grand champ, how does that compare with the total number of actual koi breeders in Japan? There are many breeders I know that, while nailing a grand championship would be a dream come true, they produce fish for the masses. The pond grade bling. That is their corner of the world. Are the fish that they produce in Japan not Japanese Koi? And are they not of simular quality to the ones I posted?
So my actual response to the "they are obviously domestics" post still stands. There is really no difference between pond grade Japanese and pond grade domestic Koi as far as viewing them side by side.
Finally, while you and I do not differ greatly on our views, you stumbled on to one serious truth. That is that the Japanese breeders do in fact work together in many cases. Sharing brood fish, possibly information on crossings that have been successful, something that is lacking here in the States. But then again, that very system of sharing has bitten more than one great breeder.
Over all, there are some very serious breeders here in the USA, some with the main goal of winning JR's dollar. And win it they will, not if, but when. The one set back is that serious breeding for champion fish is in its infantcy here in the US. Given time and some networking, I dont think that dollar will gather much more dust.