I think we have a couple of things going on at the same time. First, a fish raised for the purpose of being a major prize winner, and therefore more highly priced, has just one goal in life: Win the GC trophy. Judges are impressed by fat, voluminous koi, not lean ones that will have double the life span. The quicker the fish reaches the length and girth required, the more likely the lustre of youth will be there. And the quicker its future is predictable, the sooner the fish can be converted to cash. Japanese culture values patience more than western culture, but not so much as to wait a dozen years for the prize that can be won in seven. (Luke: Close your ears, I don't want to hear it all again.
) These top koi in the world are bought to win a major trophy. That is their purpose. So, the farmer produces what the market wants, when it wants it, which is "now". Two years later when the fish dies early, who really cares? The trophy and honors have been won. The honor of the grand win is accomplishment of the life goal for the koi. A long life without such honor is a lesser life in that sense.... Hmmmm.... Kind of like 'The Way of the Samurai'.