Laws of Beni, Sumi, and Shiroji.

[lildude]

I have a question that I have been trying to find an answer for.
I have learned all this stuff about how beni will behave if it has good kiwa, or thick beni. and also sumi that is strong on the shoulder, or if its only on the tail.
Althought I definetly dont know much on this subject, I still want to ask.

Do all of these laws of nishikigoi apply to all the bloodlines, or just some?
Like mastunosuke bloodline for example.. because it is the only bloodline that I have had experience with. such as marusome, nokogiri kiwa, and other stuff.
Would it be wise to apply these to all nishikigoi no matter the breeder and bloodline? or would it be quite the opposite?
Thank you.

Eric

[MikeM]

There are generalities that apply widely, but not universally. There are always exceptions. There are also generalities that apply to a particular breeder's koi, or perhaps the offspring of the breeder's favorite oyagoi of a particular variety, or to a particular line (such as Matsunosuke Sanke)... except when they don't.

Much to learn to understand that there is always more that has not been learned.

[dick benbow]

a farmer's keito or bloodline can be very different from another's. Daiinichi is known for their soft white so the look and development is different then say
Toshio's.

beni is also different with the different bloodlines used and develops differently from another.

From my point of view in making good choices I think it helps to really study a bloodline and learn what to expect. It's a moving target tho, look at what toshio has done in the last decade with maruzome, and magoi.

I do think there are universal rules of thumb that you can base hunches on

black is always stronger in the tail while beni can be weakest there.

the length of a head can help you to understand growth potential if size is also a criteria in selection.

understanding and being able to identify skin as like cotton or silk fabric is universal.

I hate to use the olde cliche but it's true " if this hobby was easy then everyone would be sucessful " instead of "challenged".

[lildude]

This hobby is a challenging one thats for sure! but Im here to stick it out.
Thanks Mike and Dick for the replies, this not only helped me, but most likely others as well.
I am having a hard time to "see" what Cotton skin and Silk skin looks like. Another thing that is a bit difficult, is Elasticity of beni, but what I think it looks like is a liquid beni, beni that looks very wet, even when underwater. thought, I am probably wrong. I just have to develop that "eye" everyone is talking about.
Yes, I am very excited to see what the koi world has to offer next. Im pretty sure in my lifetime I will see things I never would have thought possible in this ever changing hobby.
Especially with toshio sakai, and what he talked about at the seminar of a kohaku type koi that is black instead of orange. (being black and white only with kohaku patterns, Im not sure if you remember he said this).

In the showa that russ and kari gave to me as a gift, I am seeing there are what it looks like "brown sumi" on it. I have not seen the showa in about 2 months, and since it is summer, I am not so sure what it looks like anymore. The showa hasnt really changed much since I recieved it. Am I doing something wrong? It seems to be the same, no improvement, and no degradations either.

Edit:
After seeing the koi in, Looking for the right Kohaku, I think I know what Elastic Beni looks like...