Tancho: Shape?

[KoiCop]

JR said: The tancho kohaku is one such example. A square tancho on a male fish looks out of place. Yet on a wide female, with a broad head, it is just the ticket to make the fish look very impressive.

Another hobbyist replied: There was an article in a 10 year old Rinko Magazine and it stated that the Tancho spot should be as big and round as possible. For judgeing purposes.

Kate McGill, in her book KOI Appreciation (2001, p. 61), wrote: The tancho marking, as a key feature of this variety, was originally desired to be large, round, solidly coloured, and to have clean sharp edges. The (ideally) round hi should cover as much of the head as possible, but without incursion over eyes or shoulders; hence the koi with a broad forehead would be more likely to develop the classic tancho. While this is still preferred, other shapes and sizes of tancho have become acceptable: for example the kakutan, or square tancho; or the umebachi, a shape like the petal of the Japanese apricot blossom.

Any thoughts?

[dcny]

I thought that the tancho mark can be any shape. The most popular, of course, would be round which is symbolic of the Japanese flag. However, I thought many other shapes such as square, diamond, and heart (may be the same as apricot) were recognized.

-Dan

[JasPR]

The first statement is the standard.
The second is the reality and the subjective element in great, but not standard koi. Subjectivity in the hands and eyes of an experienced trustee/judge is part of the judging process.

The key to tancho before shape, is location and thickness of the beni. All shapes must fit on the head and stay off the body. The shape can not be so large as to not fit the head! One koi's 'large' tancho is another koi's 'speck'!
The beni is kohaku beni and as such, thickness and type is very important from a quality aspect. Finally we have shape- round, chevron and square.

- JR

[ppp]

I'm really proud of my gin rin tancho so thought I'd post it up here to share with you guys. It's a Seitaro female, currently 65cm. Classic body conformation and good girth. Tancho spot is large and round, albeit very slightly to one side. The fish is not very photogenic though, so the spot doesn't appear so round, but it actually is very round when viewed in real life. Being gin rin, this koi will unlikely reach a very large size, but I'd be happy if it can reach 70-75cm.

[moikoi]

bought the small one. what do you think? too much sumi for a 7" fish?

[Brutuscz]

Here is my ginrin tancho. The pic on the left is last year...on the right was a few weeks ago and full of eggs. So far..the tancho mark is stable. Hope she stays that way.

[ppp]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brutuscz Here is my ginrin tancho. The pic on the left is last year...on the right was a few weeks ago and full of eggs. So far..the tancho mark is stable. Hope she stays that way.

The gin looks really good. How long is it now? I think about 50cm? The tancho spot is a little small, but well placed. As the fish grows bigger, I think the spot may look smaller and smaller.

[Brutuscz]

Quote: Originally Posted by ppp The gin looks really good. How long is it now? I think about 50cm? The tancho spot is a little small, but well placed. As the fish grows bigger, I think the spot may look smaller and smaller.

This fish is still small...only 23cm. I am concerned about the spot looking too small with further growth. Last year, this fish won best tancho at the pioneer valley show. Hope it stays in proportion.

[ppp]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brutuscz This fish is still small...only 23cm. I am concerned about the spot looking too small with further growth. Last year, this fish won best tancho at the pioneer valley show. Hope it stays in proportion.

Was it from a 2005 fall spawning or 2006 spring spawning? You bought it last year, presumably as a tosai. It should be nisai by now? Or at least aki nisai? 23cm seems a bit small...

[Nathan Wing]

yes looks like a really nice fish