Shiro Utsuri that is mostly black

[gregbickal]

Most Shiro's I have seen have an even balance, or more white than black. Does anyone have any photos of some that are Very Black with not much white..

[MikeM]

Nope. Those get culled.

[koiedge]

Greg,

I have to agree with you on the more black shiros. I really like the strong black. To me it gives the fish a stronger presence. But in most ponds - you would not be able to see the fish. I am lucky that my main pond is light blue liner - that the monster plecos just love to keep clean.

Maybe in the future we will see more of the sumi strong shiros. Who knows.

Jeff

[kingkong]

Quote: Originally Posted by koiedge Greg, I have to agree with you on the more black shiros. I really like the strong black. To me it gives the fish a stronger presence. But in most ponds - you would not be able to see the fish. I am lucky that my main pond is light blue liner - that the monster plecos just love to keep clean. Maybe in the future we will see more of the sumi strong shiros. Who knows. Jeff

Those get culled...gees listen to this. I paid big bucks last year for a shiro and was convinced the big sumi was 'in' in Japan at the Orlando show. Those get culled. Wouldn't you know it, it would tank as soon as I bought it sort of speak.
I am with you Jeff, the future holds strong for larger portions of sumi, looks good to me. All these new polyurea ponds will get a coat of algae on them sooner or later, then maybe the sumi will have a better contrast background.

KOI UNIT
Ogon Chapter

[gaetano]

Maybe if you select a young shiro utsuri with a lot of black and let it finish in rather hard water you could have wat you want? Ok this sounds nicer than reality might be, but you never know

gaetano

[kingkong]

Please note the Omosako logo fish above with that heavy sumi plate (hit refresh until add shows). I am feeling beter all ready.
Now, select a young Shiro heavy in sumi and put it in hard water? Exactly, this will be the look.

KOI UNIT
Ogon chapter

[MikeM]

KK: No doubt "Big Sumi" is in style.. large blocks of Sumi, giving a lot of power to the fish, especially if the patterning gives the balanced "reflections" for which Utsuri are named. But those powerful blocks of Sumi need Shiro to stand out. I think Greg was referring to nearly "sumimuji" with only a very small amount of white... like a black-phase Kumonryu with just a little Shiro still showing. Personally, many of the best Shiros do not appeal to me because the patterning is too ill-defined. But, a Shiro with a strong traditional pattern, or one that is nearly solid white with veins of Sumi creating a pattern like tree roots...these knock me over. I don't want much. Just the highest quality Sumi on perfect white with a traditional pattern. ...sigh.

[mitten]

And I love the shiro utsuri for the blue.

[dick benbow]

A few years back our club got some Omosako shiro's in to see how each owner could develop the koi. Selection was made by random drawing. The last one was pretty heavy with black and ignored till the end. The koi has the nicest blueish black now, it's body shape is so much better than the others and now that it is getting big it's becoming very imposing with the heavy pattern. I think the trend will be to begin going back the other way. Sanke's have less black now from some of the heavier blacks of a few years ago. Kinda like men's ties. By the time you weed out all the fat ones, they start making em fat again! (LOL)

[gaetano]

If I remember correctly, there were a few pictures in Koi-bito 9 or 10 of toshio sakai's sankes that had large sumi. I don't have the magazines with me so I cannot check it.

gaetano