Japanese Breeder Awards

[koiedge]

Are there breeder shows in Japan? Where only the different breeders compete. Or do the breeders compete in the regular big events shows.

The question came to me while reading over many back issues of Rinko. Many large breeders having walls of trophies and awards. Here in the states, breeders are not 'allowed' to compete with regular hobbists.

I was just curious with the thought of some day showing a few of my own breed koi. Or looking to the future for a high 'goal' with breeding my own koi.

Any thoughts?

Jeff

[KoiCop]

the recent 2006 Shinkokai All Japan Show was a combined show, meaning that it was open to breeders, dealers and hobbyists.

The ZNA All Japan Show is for hobbyists, only; no professionals allowed.

In the US, AKCA shows are allowed to have a separate division for breeders/dealers; the decision whether to do so or not is left up to the host club.

[koibito]

Just curious, is there such a thing as koi show of "hobbyist-breed only" koi anywhere in the world at this moment?...

Cheers.

[koiczar]

The breeder only show in Japan you're asking about would be the Nogyosai show. Breeders only!!

[dick benbow]

I quess there are several ways to look at this question. from the competitors side and from the viewers.

If i were a pure competitor depending on how highly ,I would want to be able to compete against the best or atleast against what i considered an equal.

from a viewers standpoint, I'd like to see the very best koi there are available,
irregardless of who owned them or bred them.

over the decades that i have been involved in local clubs, dealers were always excluded or at best a dealers only catagory was tryed but never seemed to "catch-on".

I've been to all the major shows in Japan, appreciated the breeders show but have to say the all japan show which is all inclusive does it for me as a viewer. My koi kichi entered koi in that competition but I was never in that league from a competitive nature as my eyes and knowledge far exceeded my
ability to afford a "real" show fish.

[koiedge]

Koicop- I did not realize that the AKCA rules for showing allowed breeders to show was up to the host club. I felt that it was just not allowed, and frowned upon.

Dick Benbow- I guess I feel that I am trying to look at it as a hobbyist breeder that would like to be more. And hoped that there was a similar way for breeders to show here in the states. Dear US Breeders please forgive me for this next comment- but I feel that the US Breeders seem to really push quantity over quality in what they breed and sell. Maybe that is just the different markets. Where the Japanese public has been exposed to a different way of seeing koi.

And yes, Dick, I was looking at it as competing against a higher level of quality.

That US dealer catagory catching on thing- again please forgive my feelings - but we all know that the dealers sell the best imported fish they have and they watch them go right out into the show tanks.

In Japan, where the recognition of winning the shows helps their name brand and sales, what type of awards are given? I see the trophies, but is there also cash awards, etc.? Yes, indirectly, the awards in Japan do translate directly to a 'cash' increase in profits. I feel that that may be similar to here in the states where a 'importer' may make more with a reputation of 'bringing in' winning fish.

Is there a way to cause a shift in overall quality and thinking in the us? What does everyone think?

Thanks for all the great comments, this is really educational.
Jeff

[Bern]

Don,

Being pedantic for the sake of clarity -

Technically the Combined show is Breeders & Dealers only. They can enter 'sold' fish which is where the owner/hobbyist gets a mention. But as an ordinary member of Joe Public, you can't get an entry form for the show without being a member of Shinkokai.

The UK (BKKS) rules are similar to the AKCA. Dealers can show but only as a part of the show where dealer competes against dealer.

Ironically, one of the non-BKKS shows in the UK is run by a dealer, where dealer and hobbyist compete together, but last year there wasn't a single fish entered by a dealer in the show.

One thing that used to irritate me about mixed shows here was that you could turn up on the show the day after judging and find the dealers fish missing from the vats which prevented comparisons being made as they had been sold, bagged and taken away.

rgds BERN

[KoiCop]

thank you for that clarification. And for the chuckle I got visualizing your day after empty vats scenario. Point(s) well taken.

[Regenmeneer]

Both shows in Holland are combined. Especially the Dutch National Show held in Arcen is one where dealers compete with top level hobbyists.

No problems with koi disappearing after judging. They have to stay in the vats untill the end of the show.

Regenmeneer