Japanese Breeder Choguro passes away

[Dale Torok]

I read Tim Waddington's message earlier today on another forum that Choguro had passed away. Known as Choguro, Mr. Teruchiyo Hiroi was tthe very best breeder of purichina's in Japan. What a tremendous loss to the koi community. I had a friend visit Choguro to purchase a large purichina in October, 2003.

I am posting a picture he sent me from his hotel in Japan the day he purchased his fish. The picture shows him with Choguro, Choguro's wife and the bowled platinum he had selected.

After he returned from Japan, he couldn't stop talking about how impressed he was with Choguro and how impressive his fish were. He was equally impressed with Choguro's energy at his age. He pointed to the picture and asked me how old I thought he was? I guessed that he was in his 60's. I believe he said he was 80 years old!!! And then he explained that when he was pointing out fish that he would like Choguro to net for him to see in a bowl that Choguro climbed up on the side of the big rectangular tank and walked around on the narrow edge with the agility of a monkey while he netted the fish he had pointed out smoothly and expertly. He had asked how old he was and when he told him couldn't believe how agile he was and how hard he could work.

I could just picture it when he told the story of the 80 year old Japanese man standing up on the side of the tank, holding a net and shouting, "Which one you like? Which one you like?"

When I saw his big purichina after it was shipped home, I knew I had to have one for myself. Last October my friend Mike Pfeffer purchased 3 purichina's while visiting Choguro. A picture of the 3 fish is below. Two of these purichina's are in our pond now and the other one is in the pond of a member of the Louisville Koi Club.

I am really saddened to hear this. Japan has lost one of its best breeders.

Dale

[Regenmeneer]

Really sad to hear that Mr Hiroi has passed away.

I had been searching for Choguro Platinum for a long time, and finally found them.


Mr Hiroi aka Choguro will be sadly missed.

Regenmeneer

[dick benbow]

He Indeed was one of a kind. His brillance as a breeder was only surpassed
by the brilliance of his koi! Looks like you get to treasure last year's purchase!

[keokoi]

Very sad indeed... A very inviting man.. He is in my memories of my first trip to Japan.. I will never look at Platinum Purachina the same again..

Joe

[MikeM]

He searched for perfection and got as close as any one. Some may say he just followed the market, but many breeders produce Purachina and the market is bloated with Purachina of little worth. He made a market by staying true to a vision of what Purachina could be.



Each variety should be so fortunate as to have a devoted breeder focused on its perfection for nearly 50 years.

[gregbickal]

Here's a few photos of him I have from my trip..
http://66.221.219.161/forums/attachm...tachmentid=541
http://66.221.219.161/forums/attachm...tachmentid=542

[MikeM]

Great photo, Greg! .... "Why take up space with Purachina? They're boring." UMmmmmm... nope. See how intently MikeP is studying those Purachina?

It's a zen-type of appreciation.

[keokoi]

Here is my first trip to Choguro's farm.. Nakayama San giving a hand..


Joe

[Regenmeneer]

Hi

I was wondering, since mr. Hiroi was in his eighties and still running the farm himself, there probably isn't anyone to take over the Choguro Yorijo. Or is there anyone taking over?

It would be a shame if the choguro purachina would be lost to the world forever.

Regenmeneer

[keokoi]

His son's will be taking over.. His son was there last year helping out...



Joe