how to get a good shiro ?

[James P]

Absolutely agree with that assessment Mike. My little shiro was sought after by the breeder because, besides quality of color, it has a true dorsal pattern- very unusual in shiro. The traditional shiro has what I call 'pattern #2' or a wrapped pattern -typical of all utsuri and showa.

If you check out pictures of my shiro Grand Champ in the MAKC many years back, you will see another dorsal patterned ( Pattern #1) type shiro. These fish are not unlike certain lines of showa however, if you can imagine them without beni.

Most shiro with suffer from gray/smokey black sumi as they age. The maruzome will indicate lasting sumi. It is what Sakai/matsunosuke is producing in his very best showa now.

JR

[dim_queen7]

Hi all,

Thanks a lot for all the info ! Do u know which breeder have a good reputation in breeding shiro utsuri ? I've seen some of shiro here. Most of them are small ( about 15 cm in length) and it's very hard me to get a lacquer white one. is it still possible for them to get brighter in the future ?

[dick benbow]

Female shiros like showas take about 7-8 years to really hit their peak.Males half that!

[Arthur]

Dick,

That is true but is also a double-edged sword. I raised 4 tosai shiro utsuri from Omosako-san, special ones that he helped select. Out of the 4 two turned out male with so-so sumi. The two others, females, looked VERY promising after two years: great shiro, lacquer sumi coming up all in the right places.

The two males were sold. out of the two females one turned shiro muji in its third year (that one had the best lacquer-like sumi), the second I still have: the little sumi she has is of very good quality BUT it is very little so far.

Buying tosai is a gamble, period, regardless of the bloodline quality. Keep in mind that there is a reason why they are sold as tosai and not grown by the breeder to be nisai.

[BabyKoi]

Here I feel so at home!
Swam acres of lands, across oceans and seas, I found home!
Share some fine Shiro Utsuris with everyone!
They are on sale too.
Spoilt for choices?
Here are Ogata Shiro Utsuri!!!
Feast on them?
With photos, judgements will be easy!
Can we start the ball rolling again?
How? How to get a good Shiro?