Please evaluate these Kujaku!!

[Brutuscz]

I saw we had another kujaku thread. Kujaku are my favorite type of koi. Please evaluate these three. All are 6-8 inches. The one on the right is Ginrin. All from the same breeder. Let me know what you think...I wish to learn more.

[jbolding]

Okay, maybe this is a silly question, but can you have a gin rin kujaku? I thought you couldn't have metallic and gin rin at the same time.

Back to your question I can't speak for luster or skin quality, because that doesn't come through in a photo. No. 1 looks too dark and scalation looks messy. No. 2 looks good, lighter matsuba and fairly even scalation, and what looks to be the better body of the three. No. 3 wow that is a busy looking fish.

[dick benbow]

I like the koi in the middle of the three available. be sure and read JR's excellent commentary on the thread should i show my kujaku. These koi are hikari, so the shire or brightness is really important. If you must ,take all three out into the sunshine to compare.

[Brutuscz]

I'm probably going to grow out all three(plus one other small one I have-different breeder). Since kujaku are my favorite..I want to study and document the development. I'll eventually keep what I like and sell the rest. I like to know what those with more experience than me have to say though.

[JasPR]

Hi all. Yes. you can have ginrin and metallic. It makes for a 'busy' fish but they look good in some junenile fish. You often see that when looking at purachina ( platinum ogon). I remember standing at pond side at Choguro's with Maurice and we were observing the difference in ginrin and non ginrin metallics. The ginrin is of course the scale itself and the metallic is the skin surrounding the scale.

As Dick and I have now both said, teri or shine is the number one feature of kujaku.
And IF a tategoi kohaku's challenge is to grow large and a showa's challenge is to finish it's sumi, then a kujaku's challenge is to keep its shine and stay 'clean'.
Since almost all kujaku loose the luster by age five, this is a big challenge indeed!
In these little guys however, you do need pattern like any other baby koi does to compete well in the small sizes.

Here are two STONE COLD KILLER kujaku! One is of kohaku breeding and the other is typical kujaku breeding. They are both world class fish, so use them as learning tools. These fish are in the 14-15 inch range and this is the ideal size to show finished metallic fish at as they tend to be very shiny and very clean. But please note: they also have very nice patterns. the patterns have no 'windows' or holes in them which is a number one flaw in most baby kujaku. Patterns are very very important in fish of this size and type.

JR

[Brutuscz]

JR...thank you for the information. I tend to concentrate heavily on the pattern and matsuba..and ignore the sheen. Good to realize the importance of it. Hard to tell in a photo...but, how would you judge the three above? Also..of the two you listed...which do you feel is superior?

[JasPR]

They are average grade. Ranking: 2,1,3

But this is what the hobby is about- owning, growing and learning. So enjoy them and learn from their development. JR

[Brutuscz]

Thanks again Jr...The info always helps...and the experienced eye is priceless.

[JasPR]

you are most welcome! JR

[MikeM]

JR: Comments on the red Kujaku having what seems to be motoguro in the pecs?.... shadowy, like Sumi does in metallic koi.