TSE Koi 4th Annual Koi Show & Seminar - June 4-5

[James P]

Morning Dick. You know I really like the civil tone of this board and I feel slightly bad sometimes introducing some cynical comments in a field of innocents! On the other hand, I want all beginners and intermediate hobbyists to have a pleasant , positive koi keeping experience and avoid those ugly detours in our hobby- you know the ones I’m talking about!

So my apologies to the readership if they only get the feeling I’m being a downer when it comes to certain issues. Its just that ‘been there, done that’ keeps creeping in when I see/read certain dynamics setting up in other regions of the country. This is great hobby- keep it real.

On another subject Dick, I finally set my maple bonsai free last weekend! Yep, out of the pots and into the Japanese garden that borders the woods on my property! Just could keep up and hated the idea that almost killed a $1800, 20 plus year old maple this winter. They look great and if possible– I think they look happier! I almost wish I had a copy of the CD " born free" to play, while I transplanted them into that spacious hole in the ground! LOL

JR

[ChrisC]

Quote: Originally Posted by JR ....dealer tried to convince me that Ito should not be on the same panel at the 1995 AKCA seminar with his supplier, SyunYoshida, as he was great breeder and the other guy was an unknown zero! JR

How come I can imagine this conversation?.....

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by JR OK , let me be the jerk. Once the sting is gone however, you can put some things into perspective. Never touch koi when you have jewelry on! This means, rings, watches and gold bracelets! One quick move while measuring fish will result in a lost scale or an aeromonas ulcer site when the fish gets home. This is fundamental etiquette for all experienced handlers. A word to the wise— JR

I guess that's why I hate handling other peoples fish, but now I know...JR thanks for pointing that out, I usually dont wear jewelry when handling my fish or any other person's fish...In that case I completely forgot...I need to brush up on my koi handling skills... I think Joe can help me out on that...

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by JR Ito San is a lovely guy and quite knowledgeable. Has any one visited his place? The family business is to buy koi from koi breeders and grow them out. It takes a sharp eye to pick out others Nisai and grow them out in the limited area the Ito’s have. He does produce a limited number of his own fish ( mostly non gosanke) but less and less as the years go by. I remember when I visited him in 1992 and 1994, a certain pacific northwest dealer tried to convince me that Ito should not be on the same panel at the 1995 AKCA seminar with his supplier, SyunYoshida, as he was great breeder and the other guy was an unknown zero! Kinda made me laugh– these dealers and their infighting- - - - at any rate, we had them together and it came off OK. The business will always promote its interests, the teaching lessons are ancillary. Please do not forget that, or you are destine to follow ‘ false gods’. Trust me, these things always become clear in hind sight. JR

Shot, I feel the same applies to judges, be it AKCA or ZNA...Alot of infighting, who's better...who knows more...ego man, about ego in most cases...I think the "False Gods" term applies here too...

[James P]

I'll keep quite, you'll figure it out eventually, we all do. JR

[aquitori]

Hey JR, when you coming to Northern California? Need to have lecture apperences by you for the Koi-Unit...Any topic your choice...Well, how about "Koi Handling 101"?

[keokoi]

Quote: Originally Posted by aquitori I guess that's why I hate handling other peoples fish, but now I know...JR thanks for pointing that out, I usually dont wear jewelry when handling my fish or any other person's fish...In that case I completely forgot...I need to brush up on my koi handling skills... I think Joe can help me out on that...

That pic is funny.. I didnt know goldfish can gorw that big.. I can teach you how to handle Goldfish

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by keokoi That pic is funny.. I didnt know goldfish can gorw that big.. I can teach you how to handle Goldfish

Joe, your the MAN!!! That's what I like about you, to take a guy like me who's just started in the hobby last week and to teach me about Gosanke...Thanks bro!!!

[keokoi]

I leanred all I know from the guy back there with the white jacket and Goatee.. I think he learned from the purty next to him in black leather Harley jacket

[James P]

Hey, we all learn from each other- back and forth. Trips to Japan, you talk to your sensai I talk to mine- we compare. We absorb, we adjust our opinion and we move on. We log our own experiences, we compare and contrast them to others experience. Listen more than talk. If the subject hits home, talk more than listen. Some things we hear over and over are indeed ultimate truths and some are 'old school' and in need of revision. So never stop moving, never stop learning.
I just missed a visit from larry Gill a few weeks ago- we'll try to hook up again when I get out there on a lay over to Japan. Really wish you all would start a ZNA chapter out there? Grant was willing but wanted too much in return.

JR