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VISITING
KOI FARMS IN JAPAN
“The mysteries and unspoken promises of this
majestic territory inspire a level of excitement and
anticipation that a single lifetime cannot map”.
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On our 10 day trip to Japan we visited
several of the Masters in the art of Koi Breeding.
We “trekked” through 3 metres of snow at a
snails’ pace from farm to farm. To name but a few;
Fukasawa, known for his Gosanke, Kumanryo and Beni
Kumanryo, Yamasaki – here we had the honour to
feed some of the tosai, Hirasawa owned by the
impressionable Saitaro San – famous for his Kohaku
from the Sensuko and Tomoin bloodlines. Saitaro San
took the time over a cup of green tea to have a
lengthy discussion with us explaining the bloodlines
and features of his Kohaku. |
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A morning spent at Matsunosuke with the Master
himself (Toshio Sakai San) showing off his jumbo koi
for us. “Some men dream of producing the best Koi
in the world – the Sakai brothers of Mushigame
wake up and do it! Toshio Sakai is the true master
of his art. The 1997 All Japan Show was won by his
breathtaking Kohaku (82cm).This is the third Supreme
Champion in four years for a Matsunosuke Koi
produced by Sakai – a quite incredible
achievement.”
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We visited Masadu renowned
for Goshiki, Gin Rin and Doitsu Goshiki. Oaki’s
doitsu Sanke made such an impression that our budget
would take a long while to recover.
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As our quest continued we passed many of the
breeders whom have almost been destroyed by the
earthquake in October 2004 – their fish houses and
mudponds destroyed - visible even under the 3 metre
snow blanket.
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Takeda San – the owner of the Takeda
Utsuri Bloodline entertained us to supper in the
true Japanese style. This was quite an honour seeing
that Takeda San has visited our farm on several
occasions teaching us the art of selection and
culling. Our farm also only uses the Takeda
Bloodline for our Shiro Utsuri.
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| "The fascination
of this magical place is undiminished by
familiarity. Like Koi Keeping the enigma merely
increases with the accumulation of knowledge.
Understanding is like the mountains – it endures
through time, content in the integrity of what is
known while revelling in the certainty that the
challenge will forever stay one step ahead of the
answer." |
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