Day 3, 4 and 5

Day 3

Two new farms were visit one in Okayama and one in Shikoku Island, more information about these farms will be available during the next few months.

Day 4

After leaving very early I arrived at Isawaonsen station 6.30hours later to be met by Hajime Sakuma and his brother Hitoshi,I was quickly taken to Hiroi koi farm and spent about 1 hour there looking for some Goshiki but unfortunately there wasn't anything of the quality I was looking for,so it was a quick drive to Sakuma koi farm to have a look at this years harvest as the light was starting to fade I was looking forward to seeing four koi that had been left at Sakuma Farm, two from last years harvest and two female jumbo tosai purchased in May this year.I was shown these koi but it was decided to photograph the next day.

Day 5

I left the hotel at 8.30am and went to Sakuma koi Farm,the first thing was to bowl and photograph the koi mentioned earlier.



The first to be photographed was this 3 year old Gin Rin Showa purchased last year as a two year old.Now measuring 58cm with a much improved body shape.Having only been harvested in the last week, the quality of the skin is very good and will still improve further. The second koi was this excellent yonsai Gin Rin Sanke,now measuring 67cm. The sumi is low due to its time in the mud pond but it can easily be seen under the skin.



Next to be bowled were two Female Jumbo Tosai purchased in may of this year.Measuring 40cm(see above pics)








Both koi had developed well with a much improved body shape and now measured 52cm. After all the photographs had been taken,I was shown the rest of this years harvest,there were some excellent Koi for sale from Nisai to Yonsai, but I explained to Hajime that as he has changed he brood stock and introduced new blood , I would be more interested to see the tosai next year.

So after lunch it was off to Maruyama Koi Farm.



Arrived at Maruyama and selected some excellent Nisai Kohaku and Showa.



I then went to another koi house to select more showa it was turning into a very good day!



Both these Nisai Female Showa have low sumi at the moment but having just been harvested this will improve,both very striking in appearance,with good body shape and lustre to the skin.It was a good day at Maruyama and with still more ponds to harvest i will be back again in the spring.Tomorrow I was going to see Toshio Sakai and see how two kohaku had developed during the past year.