For hundreds of years, breeders have developed many varieties and improved the beauty of koi through friendly competition. Golden corn and Aragoke are the most unique and newest creations in recent years. I would like to share what I found out about Aragoke from the creator, Mr. Toshinobu Ikarashi of Ikarashi Koi Farm. Farm Beginnings […]
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Ever so many years, thanks to breeders’ efforts, we enjoy encountering new varieties. Most of the time, however, they are a metallic, Ginrin or Doitsu version of existing varieties. I believe only few can be called a completely new variety. Golden Corn, which I am going to introduce here, is one of the few new […]
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October is the most exciting time of the year for all koi dealers and hobbyists. It is also the time of the koi harvests in Japan. Every day in October, breeders harvest so many living jewels. Before COVID-19, buyers from all over the world came to the small towns of Ojiya and Nagaoka in Niigata, […]
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If your koi should die or even look sick, you would be in a panic. If you did not know why the koi was dead or sick, you might wonder if your other koi were in danger as well. Being in the koi business for almost 50 years in Japan as well as in the […]
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Located more than 200 miles north of Tokyo, Niigata is surrounded by mountains of mountains. Heavy snowfall in winter is famous. It can be as high as 10 feet. Niigata used to be an inaccessible corner of the island during winter. Although it was such an inconvenient area, the soil was rich, and the water […]
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Do you have a retail store but do not carry koi for sale? You should, and here is why. Koi fish, especially Japanese koi fish, are considered living art work. The beautiful koi fish will elevate the status of your store and attract a wider range of customers. Do you build ponds and do not […]
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Owning Japanese koi can be a rich, lovely and rewarding experience. These “living jewels” can live up to 60 years, bringing you a lifetime of good luck and abundance. In return, you must learn to understand the language of koi so you can keep them healthy and happy. My name is Taro Kodama and at […]
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The term “Gosanke” in the koi world refers to the three main varieties: Kohaku, Taisho Sanshoku (Sanke) and Showa Sanshoku (Showa). Although there are more than 100 varieties of koi, these three varieties stand apart from the others for their excellence, perfection and popularity. It is no exaggeration that these varieties are well representative of […]
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Koi medication isn’t a fun topic, but it can be a very important concept to understand as you work to maintain a healthy pond environment. Although most of the attention is focused on spring months when bacteria become more active, an outbreak can occur at any time. Be prepared so you don’t delay the necessary […]
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There are so many names for this variety — hirenaga (“long fin”), onaga (“long tail”), tenaga (“long arm”) and hagoromo (“celestial robe of an angel”) are just a few. I like to use Hirenaga, because it is the most commonly used. Hirenaga’s History Few people know that Hirenaga breeding traces back to Japan’s emperor. When […]
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