How koi evolved in Japan the last 35 to 45 yrs ago

[tewa]

JG

Haha I will keep that in mind

Hong

[dick benbow]

there were several breeders who grabbed on to the sensuke bloodline. It was sought because of the big frame thickness of the skin in the belly ( they didn't sag) and the one draw back was the beni was very orange and redundant hi could be a problem. Hiroshima sakai worked very hard on getting the beni to redden and they did a wonderful job of that. Many critics said they had changed
the bloodline for the worse by doing so, but that was 'old' thinking.IIsuka still hangs on to the orginal look of the bloodline to my best knowledge....

[tewa]

HI Dick

How they refined the orange hi to the standard they produce today is the million dollar question i hope that Brian's articles will have a little insight to hiroshima sakais secret.

tewa

[JamesPR]

I think the truth is, Japanese breeder's not only created the nishikigoi from colored carp,they also invented the bloodline registry as well as fundamental genetic programs/rules and understanding of those rules.

Of most importance here, is the early breeding community formed- in terms of both cooperation and competition. This along with the concept of a dance between innovator and imitator is unique in the world.

JR

[MikeM]

Yes. I've found it interesting to see how that "dance" has gone in the aftermath of the earthquake of 2004. Those with koi have certainly taken advantage of their position, but at the same time have provided assistance, fry/tosai to grow out and even new oyagoi to those devastated. Not many American businesses would help put their competitors back on their feet. It is a community that takes its values from a lot of sources, only a few of which are economic.

[JamesPR]

That is why the apprenticeship relationship among breeders is so very important- With those years of servitude comes access to good breeding stock. So the second generation gets a PhD level education and then use or pick of some oyagoi prospects. What he then does with those prospects comes down to skill, good luck and breeder talent.

Today, I think the greatest threat to continued improvement of Japanese stock does not lie in the spread of KHV or frequency of natural disasters but rather from :

1) the erosion of the apprenticeship approach.

2) the inclination to reduce the standards on culling. There still needs to be pride in commercialism. But when exporting, morality can sometimes take a hit as you never see the final consumer face to face.

[aquitori]

Hey JR, has anyone ever compiled a bloodline documentation of each breeders breedings?

[JamesPR]

I don't think a third party has? But tons of interviews and photo records/charts of the top lines oyagoi. Rinko and two of the All Japanese magazines have had many over the years. JR

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by JamesPR I don't think a third party has? But tons of interviews and photo records/charts of the top lines oyagoi. Rinko and two of the All Japanese magazines have had many over the years. JR

It would be cool if someone compiled everything into one book...

[luke frisbee]

A book with that much BS in it would have to have real tiny print and no pictures.