Nichirin Magazine

[Bern]

I dropped Rinko in the mid 90s because I found the articles lightweight. As somebody else has said it was a pale reflection on its Japanese language counterpart. I've seen the odd Nichirin which I felt was better, but not by much. It wasn't until I saw the Japanese breeder interviews in the Dutch mag, that I became aware that I was missing out again. However, when I got them translated I still felt they were still short of the mark. It wasn't until the Bito interviews that I felt satisfied.

Now, moving forward, the next step is to see interviews with hobbyists, I know that's already been done, but it could be done better.

The Japanese side of the hobby is an important one, and Bito has that covered IMO.

ps - I've been told that there is a brilliant article in the latest Nichirin about a koipin website....

rgds BERN

[Rod L.]

O.K. Bern, I did see that and guess I should have commented, but didn't BECAUSE it seems that with the AFKAPS show in Orlando comming up, you may be the only one of the four of you not attending. Actually, that is a little unfair and at the same time a hint, but I must admit that Norm has not said he is coming. I don't see how he can pass it up though with Toen and Mike being there. Want more info? The site is not totally up to date, but updates will be added in about two weeks when our webmaster returns.

http://www.afkaps.com/

Hell, if all four of you show up we might have to consider you guys for a booth or at least a talk!!

Rod L.

[Bern]

There's actually five of us, Vincent in Taiwan. Toen and Mike will be attending AFKAP, Norm hasn't said if he is for definate, but I wont be. I can't get away at that time. However, the Show Chairman of my Koi Club will be, so they'll be a limey presence there.
I looked at the site a couple of days ago.

PS my copy of Nichirin is still in the mail.

rgds BERN

[Rod L.]

Oooops, my bad Bern, sorry. I did miss one of you. Sorry you can't make it, but it was worth a shot. Would have loved to be able to meet all of you. Maybe some time I'll be able to make it to the big show in in your country and we can down a few. Unfortunately, I don't see that financially in my future very soon.

I'll be looking forward to meeting your show chariman. Just tell him to ask for Rod, he won't have any problem tracking me down. I will be really surprised if Norm doesn't make it. I know that he really wants to come, but may not be able to. He was a judge at our show a few years ago, knice guy and we had a great time. Although not quite the same, JR seems to be a Pin nut too, so we'll have to let him be your sit in.

Best to you Bern, I really did enjoy your article.

Rod L.

[MikeM]

Well, I certainly did not mean my plug for K-B to set off the criticism of Nichirin. I enjoy both, although K-B has the better articles. I think the 2 compliment each other as Rod suggests. It is neat to see the same fish photographed in both. Brian's photo is not "touched up".... at least those not re-printed from a Japanese mag. But, Nichirin is a photo album beyond what K-B aspires to be ... and I always enjoy the photos, particularly best in variety when can study non-gosanke progress better. As for internet Rinko, I get it. I enjoy it. But, I do not enjoy it as much as a mag I can hold in my hand. Color printers do not capture the quality of a mag page, and pic after pic on a screen hurts my eyes. I doubt I'll renew it, but in part that's because I still have a couple of feet of old mags I'm wading through.

If I could only have 3 mags, it would be Koi-Bito, Koi USA & NI, because they do different things and view koi from different perspectives. Let me have a fourth, and it would be Nichirin because of the photos and there is a Japanese cultural element involved that Brian does not completely capture, although it gets real close.

[shiromujigirl]

I have a stack of old Rinko's and I love the Hikaru Ikeno cartoons and the photos of koi families in their fish houses, the wrinkly faced elders and mountain ponds in all various lights. I notice the photos of koi show winners are all in the same brilliant shades of red, white and black. I'm not sure if the lack of flaws is deliberate tweeking or a factor of printing.

Koi-bito in my opinion beats every koi magazine I have ever seen with a flowery stick. Now, Brian? Do you think you could add a cartoon feature?

[Brian]

Hi Melissa,


You know...it's funny that you mention thatm as I have been thinking about something like that. The problem is finding talented artists... :smt089 :smt119

[shiromujigirl]

Why don't you draw it Brian? Its a cartoon. People are SPOSED to laugh.

[Dan Blatt]

I believe one can go into Paint on your computer and draw cartoons. A friend of mind did some so I know it works. They actually looked pretty good. Not sure how to do it myself. Could find out though. Hey - make it like the Sims compute/paystation game with members from the board - perhaps we could go interactive - wow, with all the different personalities here - could we ever have fun with that one!

[Bern]

Hi Dan,

Getting back to your earlier post about 3 mags.

I've taken the same stance over here. K-B, Koi Carp and recently Koikeepers.

K-B gives me the Japanese scene, Koi Carp the domestic and I'm hoping that Koikeepers will tap into the European scene.

Interestingly Koi Carp has been giving greater exposure to the American scene of late, and in its last issue it appears that some collaboration with KoiUsa is happening. No bad thing in my book.

I let my NI subscription expire last year.

For my fix of Japanese show winners I now rely on the calendars.

rgds Bern.