Eastern Nishikigoi's 2007 Koi Seminar . . .

[KoiCop]

featuring Mr. Nakayama of Ogawa Koi Farm, was hosted last Saturday by Ken Tran, its gracious owner. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say the event was both enjoyable and informative.

Masayoshi Nakayama-san is the Director of Ogawa Koi Farm, where he's worked for 35 years; the Farm has been in operation for 51 years. Ogawa is famous for breeding Ruran (or Rurun), the only 2 time winner of the AJCKS (Shinkokai). Ruran, named after a mythical Chinese city (think King Arthur's Camelot or the Vikings' Valhalla), was unable to be bred successfully since she won her titles so late in life (I think he said her second title was at age 16?). Nakayama-san is no stranger to the USA and has judged here before. In the last AJCKS, he judged the 70 bu Class teamed with Tom Lai (of Champion Koi) and Kunizo Narita (Head Judge at our last ZNA SoCal show).

A buffet luncheon (it was excellent, by the way) preceded Nakayama-san's presentation, which covered equal parts Ogawa Koi Farm operations and 'How to Choose Quality Tosai.' Included were a judging contest of 4 live Ogawa kohaku (winner had choice of koi!) and a rather lengthy Q & A session (wherein Nancy M. mightily stirred the pot and Yours Truly stayed mum).

Afterwards, Nakayama-san (via his interpreter, Toru Inouye-san -- Ken's broker), was available to comment on various koi for prospective buyers -- and in fact did so, even though the koi he sexed and critiqued for us were not his.

On Sunday, Nakayama-san and Inouye-san (driven by Allen from EnKoi and accompanied by Joe Co, a top local hobbyist) toured some SoCal ponds -- and were gracious enough to honor us with a visit. A truly memorable day for Brenda and I.


L to R: Nancy M., Ken Tran, Toru Inouye, Masayoshi Nakayama; (seated) Jed Bolding (jbolding) and daughters.


L to R: Ken Tran, Toru Inouye, Masayoshi Nakayama; Jed Bolding


Toru and Masayoshi


Jane Morrison (janemm), Erwin Santos (Erwinsan) and Mark Whalen (111whalen)


Kelvin Tran (k. tran) and Lamson Bui Tran (ockoi1)




My wife, Brenda, & I


Searching for the correct words


Nancy M., stirring the pot during Q & A (actually, some very good questions Nancy)

[KoiCop]

Nakayama-san sexing and commenting on two koi for us; the first was an 11" Sakuma sanke (100% female; outstanding quality) and the second was an 8" Sakuma showa (80% female; outstanding quality).







Sunday's pond visit and refreshments. We were honored. Just hope they enjoyed it as much as we did.
1st pic, L to R: Allen (from EnKoi), Brenda, Nakayama-san, Inouye-san, Joe Co.

[aquitori]

Pretty nice weekend to learn with the breeder. One thing I know about Nakayama-san is he is a cool cat when he was here at the ABAKS.

[k.tran]

yeah saturday was really fun and ohh man thats a nice pic of me!!

i learned alot about koi and picked up 2 of his kohakus

geez!! i should have bought that sanke its so nice!!!

[gspotmc]

Quote: Originally Posted by k.tran yeah saturday was really fun and ohh man thats a nice pic of me!! i learned alot about koi and picked up 2 of his kohakus geez!! i should have bought that sanke its so nice!!!

Kelvin,
Who bought that sanke? I was asking for that when it first came in.
Michael

[RayJordan]

Wish I could have been there. thanks for posting the pics. See some koi kichi I know.

[mitten]

Thanks for the pics Don. I was shocked in one of them to see some old fart with his hand on Brenda's leg. Thought you'd like to know.

[Nancy M.]

Quote: Originally Posted by gspotmc Kelvin, Who bought that sanke? I was asking for that when it first came in. Michael

Awe Michael, that would be Don, the koicop's new Sanke

[Nancy M.]

Don, my friend did you get pictures, of you and Brenda re-dedicating the Japanese flag from World War II, to Nakayama, that your Grandpa had aquired during the war. If so I would love to see them. Also Please share with the rest of the board, the story behind the flag, and what Nakayama will be doing with it.

When Don, told me of his intentions, I said Don, don't you want to keep this in your family and pass it down? Don's answer was it belongs to Japan, and that is were it should be. I was so touched by Don and Brenda's kind and wonderful jesture, I think the rest of the koi kichi will be also.

[aquitori]

It was a nice day at the home stead...