Best in Variety Showa.....

[aquitori]

Which Showa would you choose for "Best in Variety Showa" and why?

[koiczar]

Quote: Originally Posted by aquitori Which Showa would you choose for "Best in Variety Showa" and why?

Well, as there are varying angles for each photo, it's tough to say between A and C which has the BEST conformation. I like the head/shoulders on A a little better and the ozutsu seems to be a bit stronger which bodes well for future growth/development. I do think the suya and teri on A is better than the other two. Pattern wise, A seems to have the nod again and it seems to be more the finished fish and therefor, BEST IN VARIETY on the day.

Mike

[monscine]

All of the showa have good and comparable body conformation. But then I would vote showa A as the best coz the sumi is thick over the hi base while showa B has weak hi on shoulder, also with shasi on it, and the sumi haven't strong yet. The showa C has strong hi base but still weaker sumi than showa A. So in a row, I would say A as the ace, silver medal to showa C and the last one is showa B

[JasPR]

Funny, I wrote this an hour or so ago and then got distracted with some other things---


The debate is really between A & C for first and second. But the ultimate decision is really set and revolves around the age/stage considerations for such fish. Regardless of actual length, this is first and foremost, a competition of adult fish. They are fish in the size range, developmental stage and age group that focuses on conformation/body line and quality characteristics over just pattern.
So in this age group, certain elements become rare and therefore more dominating in the decision process. And other traits like defined male color or pattern become secondary.
Fish A is an exceptional specimen. It has excellent quality of sumi and beni and the color is laid out very well over the length of the body. Disregard the windows in such a fish. That is very minor in fish of this accomplishment. (But a big deal in smaller, less gifted fish).
Fish C is a super conformation fish and the block like pattern orientation is highly desirable in these large female fish. It's pattern is being praised not for the finish but rather the quality of the pattern and how well it fits that big conformation. It just suits that fish perfectly. I keep thinking – “when it’s right, it’s right” when I take in this fish’s body line and bold pattern.

In an American show, the fish A is the winner based on over all points. In a Japanese show, the shape of fish C alone would likely make it the preferred winner. And if it went down that way, the exhibitor needs to take away the lesson of why the C could defeat such a magnificent show pattern on Koi A. It would be the remarkable body shape and the overall strong impression of the koi that might convince the majority of judges to go with fish C.

Personally, I like A.

[Russell Peters]

Well, I am very partial to Showa A as it was bred by Toshio Sakai and it is a 3 year old female. Kari and I owned it as a Nisai and it won 2nd place at the All-Japan Koi Show in 2007. In 2008, with a new owner it also placed 2nd at the All Japan Koi Show.

This is a killer Showa.

[monscine]

Quote: Originally Posted by JasPR In an American show, the fish A is the winner based on over all points. In a Japanese show, the shape of fish C alone would likely make it the preferred winner. And if it went down that way, the exhibitor needs to take away the lesson of why the C could defeat such a magnificent show pattern on Koi A. It would be the remarkable body shape and the overall strong impression of the koi that might convince the majority of judges to go with fish C. Personally, I like A.

JR, I would less agree to the body conformation issue since the picture of showa A isn't straight as showa C. But from that side photograph of A, I would say that showa also has good body shape and I think on Japanese point of views, they would make an overall points when they do the judgement.

[monscine]

Quote: Originally Posted by Russell Peters Well, I am very partial to Showa A as it was bred by Toshio Sakai and it is a 3 year old female. Kari and I owned it as a Nisai and it won 2nd place at the All-Japan Koi Show in 2007. In 2008, with a new owner it also placed 2nd at the All Japan Koi Show. This is a killer Showa.

Russel, may I know what its size when she enter the 2007 show? And which parent bloodline of that showa?

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by monscine Russel, may I know what its size when she enter the 2007 show? And which parent bloodline of that showa?

I think it was 55cm when it was entered. Bloodline is Toshio Sakai. Matsunosuke.

[nguyen4]

yes it is killer Showa, it have great body and color. Is that a tradition Showa ?

[koiczar]

I've seen this Showa on a couple of occasions, in person. Once, at the AJKS in 2007 and again when harvested this past fall. If I'm not mistaken, it was then 60+/-cm and looking amazing. Everyone who saw it just simply stood and stared. The sumi on this fish is remarkable and the photo DOES NOT do it justice. It's the thickest sumi I believe I have ever seen. The body on this fish is one that will allow it to attain great size, easily over 85bu as it was only Sansai when harvested. It should only go UP from here!

Mike