kohaku koi different types of kohaku you need to know 2018
kohaku koi definition
A koi fish variety that has a white skin and a red pattern is defined as a Kohaku koi.
The kohaku koi is a representative class of the Nishikigoi.
Though its color is plain only white and red.
It reminds all the Japanese of their national flag of Japan.
In the koi world, there is a saying, “Keeping the Nishikigoi begins with the Kohaku and ends with the Kohaku.
First people are attracted by the beauty of the Kohaku koi and charmed by the Showa or the Ogon.
But finally, they go back to the Kohaku koi again.
That means that Kohaku koi is the prototype of the Nishikigoi.
Kohaku koi Origin
It was around 1800 that a red and white koi appeared for the first time.
By mutation, a koi with red cheeks called “Hookazuki” was born from a black carp.
Then a white koi was born from “Hookazuki”
The white koi being mated with a Higoi, a white koi with Hi markings was breed and called “Hara-aka” (red Belly)”.
Later kois with Hi markings on the gill covers “Era-Hi (Red gills)” were breed.
Later than 1830 a “Zu-kinkaburi” whose head is partly red, a “Menkaburi” whose whole head is red.
A “Menkaburi” whose whole head is red, a “Kuchi-beni of which lips are red
An a “Sarasa” which has red and white markings on the back were breed.
In the Meiji era Kohakus spread all over Yamakoshi and were improved.
It was by Gosuke of Utogi that so-called modern Kohaku was breed.
Utogi is a part of Ojiya City now. His real name was Kunizo Hiroi.
He mated a male koi of the cherry blossom pattern with a female which had a redhead.
A Tomouemon inherited Gosuke’s excellent Kohaku and Yagozen and Buheita followed him.
Kohaku Pattern
Good white texture is the most important element in the case of the Kohaku.
It must not be yellowish or brownish but should be snow white.
Dark but bright Hi is Preferable.
There are two kinds of Hi one’s base is purple and the other base is yellowish brown.
The former Hi is darker and does not fade away easily but unrefined.