Why Do Hobbiest Show Koi?

[Akai-San]

A lot of good honest hobbiest out there. Not holding back on the EGO thing...Hahaha.

Lets dig a little deeper. Because the competitive thing is just too shallow and too political...especially when hobbiest start campaigning (using dog shows as an example again).

I trully agree with the learning aspects that are associated with seeing show fish in the flesh and talking with fellow hobbiest and ones peers about the each others ponds and systems of care. But are there any hobbiest out there (not including serious breeders) with really nice, solid, big and beautiful fish (And they know it) and have absolutely no inclination to show-off or parade their prize fishes. Those local individuals that have the ability to rear and grow really nice koi for their own personal enjoyment. They share and learn from others and openly invite people to view the great koi that they have, but still won't give into the aspect of showing koi. Maybe they are very few hobbiest of this nature, but it is still interesting to me...why there exist the need to conquer or win at something that is still just a "hobby" for 95% of us.

For experienced hobbiest that have been keeping koi for a while, I don't believe that any of you would need the results of a Koi Show or a koi judge to tell you if your koi skills are good or bad. I think your koi will tell you that...

Most koi keepers already know the common and basic formulas for successful growth and development, its the fine tuning that is down right impossible. Someone (in this forum) once told me...Nishikigoi is a life-long journey of discovery and learning...so lets enjoy the ride.

Just my added $.02.

[Akai-San]

Bump-dity-bump...Aw come on, there has got to be somebody out-there that is cool, pure and wholesome when it comes to soul hobbiest...

[aquitori]

Well representives of our hobby we have to put out some great koi so that people outside of our hobby understand there is a difference between your Petsmart koi and dealer bought koi.

I know for those who are ZNA showing is a must by Japan Standards, because that is part of the learning process and part of the teaching of Dr. Kuroki.

[Akai-San]

Dr. Takeo Kuroki, the founder and the honorary chairman of ZNA (Zen Nippon Airinkai) an international organization based in Beppu, Japan.

Beppu is a very cool place. Near the ocean with onsen, yukatas and snaks everywhere! Hahaha. Great place to visit and relax in Kyushu.

ZNA's goal is to spread the hobby of Koi (Nishikigoi) keeping and to improve the knowledge of husbandry techniques and the appreciation of Nishikigoi as living art.