We have had tosai hi utsuri. Seems very hard (in our pond environment) for us to keep them from maturing without getting degeneration of the sumi, i.e. many stray shimi.
We culled this one at sansai after it won BC at RMKC '02.
I have never seen a Hi Utsuri I liked over 20", except in photos... and those photos looked touched up to me. A Hi Showa of good lineage can give the visual effect, with better quality. Just can't ever turn it over.
the sumi is always the challenge for hi utsuri. I used to have a female hi-utsuri from Ogata. Turned out very nice. Sumi was extremely nice with only 3 strayed sumi dot. I killed it during a water change mishap when she was 4 year old. Over these years, I have only seen 1 that come close to the her in Northern CA, dealer wanted $8K.
the sumi is always the challenge for hi utsuri. I used to have a female hi-utsuri from Ogata. Turned out very nice. Sumi was extremely nice with only 3 strayed sumi dot. I killed it during a water change mishap when she was 4 year old. Over these years, I have only seen 1 that come close to the her in Northern CA, dealer wanted $8K.
stan
TAN,
ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE HI-UTSURI FROM KEVIN? THAT ONE MEASURED AT AROUND 30 IN.
MICHAEL
I have one. I don`t know if I`ll buy anymore. This one is GR . Hosokai is the breeder. Here is the most recent pic. I have not bowled him recently, but here is a pond pic and an older one.