Momotaro Decade-old Thoughts

[MikeM]

If you have read the great K-B article on Momotaro, you might appreciate some of Maeda's thoughts from a 1996 English Rinko interview....

Best depth for a pond? "About 2 meters, I think. My 1500 ton pond is 3.5 meters deep, but I think the best depth for a field pond is 2 to 2.5 meters. I'm going to build another 1,500 ton class pond but its depth is 2 meters."

Does depth affect finish? "I think the amount of sunlight has a direct effect upon it. When koi cannot get enough sunlight their colors don't complete satisfactorily."

On growing in a mud pond: "The pond contains 2,000 tons of water...for 30 two-year-old koi."

Philosophy" : [W]e cannot create over one meter long fine koi by chance. ...First of all, we create large koi parents. Then we select fine quality ones [from among them]. And their offsprings are [raised] in splendid environment. A beautiful over one meter koi is a result of this inevitably"

On culling: After eliminating all-white and all-red fry, at the first cull 8% of offspring are selected. "I decrease 90% at the second cull." "The original 400,000 fries become only 200."..."I'm a little ashamed of flattering myself, but those koi selected are really splendid ones." "Even if I see a few fine ones, once I decide the quality of the other ones is poor, I throw all of them away." "I select their skeletal structures and qualities. I don't lay stress on their markings. They can be so-so. In fact, there are few beautiful marking koi that won the best koi in Japan. ... Nobody will want to obtain a koi around 70cm long which has the potential of growing over one meter. It usually become attractive after it reaches 85cm. Only the late-bloomer can reach one meter".

[Kohaku]

Great stuff! True wisdom: It holds true a decade later.

[TylerJ]

Can someone help me to find this article?

[jnorth]

Quote: Originally Posted by TylerJ Can someone help me to find this article?

I believe the article MikeM is referring to is in Issue 1 of Koi-bito magazine and is titled "Jumbo Dreams of Momotaro". Hope that helps.

[TylerJ]

oh. thank you I guess I will have to reread the post from now on

[MikeM]

I find it interesting to read Maeda's thoughts as printed in the September, 1996 issue on Rinko, and then look back at what he says in the K-B interview, and Brian's wonderful explanation of the breeding history of the Momotaro GCs. His statement that a fine 1 meter koi is inevitable following his practice must have seemed rather arrogant in 1996. Looking at what he has accomplished since 1996 puts it in a different perspective.

I am still astounded, however, by the idea of trashing an entire spawn when "too many" do not have the fine qualities sought. No doubt that I would keep the few that passed muster, even if I did not repeat the pairing. This says so much about his focus being on the entire genetic line being created and not on individual fish.

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeM I find it interesting to read Maeda's thoughts as printed in the September, 1996 issue on Rinko, and then look back at what he says in the K-B interview, and Brian's wonderful explanation of the breeding history of the Momotaro GCs. His statement that a fine 1 meter koi is inevitable following his practice must have seemed rather arrogant in 1996. Looking at what he has accomplished since 1996 puts it in a different perspective. I am still astounded, however, by the idea of trashing an entire spawn when "too many" do not have the fine qualities sought. No doubt that I would keep the few that passed muster, even if I did not repeat the pairing. This says so much about his focus being on the entire genetic line being created and not on individual fish.

Mr. Meada has done several articles in Rinko with Dr. Hasegawa and it is interesting how his view of filteration has changed. If you look at some of the pics of the 1500ton pond it was still setup with JMat....What hasnt changed is his views of breeding and raising bigger gosanke....