Yamabuki is a very tricky variety. They almost ALL look great at size 1. But even then, the breeder can begin to tell the 'path' the individuals will take based on the previous experience of watching other spawns develop. Like the confusion we have over here about " what the Japanese like in beni " there exists the same confusion about " what the Japanese like in yamabuki Vs the Americans". The 'shade' of beni or ki that the Japanese 'like' is not about color preference. But rather about what that color shade tells about the fish's development and the likely path the color will take. In the case of yamabuki, this includes luster cell ( metallic effect and fukurin) concentration in certain color shades and skin types. And be warned, there is a trick here, and especially in purachina. Many fish have real fukurin and others have ginrin that leaves the BIG BRIGHT impression but is a cheap substitute for high class skin.
Yamabuki is also a complicated variety. Seems an odd thing to say for a fish that is only ONE color?? But a good yamabuki must be perfect because it is so 'naked'- no pattern to hide anything! The body must be perfect, the fins perfect ( and large) and the scale arrangement- perfect. And the color on head and body must be exactly the same- this is a big 'tie breaker' at culling time. Fukurin is 'extra points' but even and strong hikari is a MUST.
And of course a yamabuki is NOT a yamabuki if it is not metallic in luster. If this is lacking then it is ogon and destine for kawarimono. And this is where the color shade comes in.
The very yellow gold baby is often dull yellow orange as an adult. Or if lustrous, the head area begins to dull or change color.
Many yamabuki come from mixed spawns of purachina. These are high gambles in even color tone.
Therefore the best gamble is a light yellow in a young fish ( under two years of age) and look for a green cast to that 'white corn' color. That is the keeper as the color you are looking at is a juvinile indicator color that will change to a deeper yellow at maturity and likely carry fukurin and even luster.
yamabuki has a 'time line' of aging like any 'cut flower' koi. The bright yellow tosai is likely going to be gold with orange flecks appearing at age five or six. The uneven toned ( especially head) yellow fish will have uneven color as an adult and that will be very distracting.
The tategoi yamabuki is the 'ugly white corn colored duckling' in a spawn of fish. But don't worry! You will never get a chance to buy that fish. The breeder has spotted it and stashed it away for next years sales!
JR
02-24-2007
A homegrown baby born in our own backyard we kept to learn from. I'm pretty sure by the time it hits 24" it will be teetering on the brink of Orenji, but for the time being it is nice to have that splash of metallic yellow in the pond
) Her head has also become rounded, but remains large. Her tail tube is not thin, but her low-hanging belly makes it seem disproportionately thin, particularly from the rear and side angles. The photos make her seem like a soft, pale yellow. In person you can see that she is mottled with pale yellow, cream, silver and a deeper yellow on her scales and head. 
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