Labels at Koi Shows

[ppp]

I live in Malaysia. I cannot claim to have visited many koi shows but from those I've seen in Malaysia, which I understand follow the Japanese system quite closely, I note that koi which win prizes at koi shows have an accompanying photograph and label stating what prize that fish won. And that's it. Worse still, koi which do not win any prizes have no labels at all.

Considering that koi shows are not just for koi kichi but for the general public as well, I feel that the labelling system should be revamped to provide more information. Being informative helps draw more people into the hobby and this can only be good for the industry (other than the fact that koi prices might start rising!!).

Serious hobbyists may know the breeder and history of the bigger koi which are vying for the more prestigious prizes, but I'm sure all of us have seen a wonderful show koi and wondered who the breeder was, how old the fish is etc. The info is not available at the tank.

My suggestion is that ALL participating koi at shows should have a label stating:-
1. Variety of fish
2. Length
3. Age
4. Breeder
5.Oyagoi
6. Bloodline
7. Name of owner
8. Category of variety and size entered under
9. Prize won if any

A photograph should accompany the label, of course.

I know a lot more work will be entailed, but an option is to get the respective koi owners to get these ready themselves. The last item (9. Prize won) can be handwritten in immediately after the judging.

I also feel that tanchos have gained enough popularity to warrant contesting in their own category rather than being lumped under the non gosanke hikarimono category which covers a whole host of other varieties. Personally I feel that it is very difficult, and possibly unfair, to compare 2 fish of differing varieties in the same category. A separate tancho category can cover all the various types of tancho (kohaku, showa, sanke, goshiki and what not).

The Japanese have been doing things the same way for many years and are probably resistant to change, but if enough koi clubs are doing the above for their shows, I'm sure they will follow suit in due course.

Maybe clubs in the West are already doing some of what I mentioned above, pardon my ignorance. I hope that you guys find the above comments constructive and I hope I haven't ruffled any feathers.

[jnorth]

Quote: Originally Posted by ppp I 1. Variety of fish 2. Length 3. Age 4. Breeder 5.Oyagoi 6. Bloodline 7. Name of owner 8. Category of variety and size entered under 9. Prize won if any .

I like your ideas and many shows incorprate many of them already so here are my comments on each one.

1. Yup I agree totally
2. Lot of work to fill that out exactly. The size catagories are a range already so its easier just to put the size catagory. Maybe a poster somewhere at the show to explain the size catagories.
3. Well i suppose you could list that but many people might not know or if they have a bonsai they might not want to say it is a 12" 4 year old.
4. That would be good but maybe something to leave out until after the judging? Some judges might not like certain breeders and really like others. I'm no judge but I think that information doesn't need to be public while judging.
5. Yeah um well I don't know the oyagoi for most of my koi.
6. Could be helpful and make for a nice learning thing I guess.
7. No way should this be posted before judging. Judges are honest people so I don't see any reason to post this and possibly cause bad feelings because their best friend just happened to win GC. Better that no one knows until after the judging.
8. I agree
9. How about you just post all that info after judging.

[mstrseed]

I concur with Mr. North.

[PapaBear]

I agree with JN as well. Judges do NOT want to know the names of the owners until after they have finished their work. There must not be even the appearance of friendship entering into their Judgment. In many cases they know the breeders well enough to recognize their work, but the possibility that someone could think they might be swayed by that knowledge is a good reason not to label them in advance. The Oyagoi of many show Koi are not specifically known, and to reveal that information if known would likewise reveal the breeder.
Another consideration to keeping the names of owners and breeders secret.
Often breeders are asked to judge shows. It would place them in a VERY uncomfortable position to have to judge fish from their own farm against those from another if the breeders names were displayed. If they were 100% honest in their judgment and their Koi took top awards they would still be unfairly accused of being biased.

[dick benbow]

in a nutshell, photo info for koi show tanks are for the benefit of the show comittee. The focus is not but should be custom taylored for the public after the judging is complete. I think if it was it would pay dividends for those trying to learn and understand. point well taken, but people ( like water) will take the path of least resistance ( the easy way ). Still for someone this would be a unique gift to incorporate

[ppp]

Yes, good points there. I do agree with your views that the info should only be put up AFTER the judging is completed. I think the info to be supplied can be voluntary rather than compulsory. If the owner does not wish to share the age of the koi, or indeed does not want his own name to surface, so be it. Similarly, if the koi has no specific bloodline or the oyagoi is unknown, the info can be left blank.

Having said that, I think most koi kichi would share whatever info that had, as one puts a koi on show because one is proud of it!