KOI Classifications
Koi are fish. They were originally bred from the common grass carp. Early in the 1800's, the Japanese noticed a red color appearing on some fish. By concentrating on these fish, the first Kohaku (red & white koi) was developed. Today, there are 13 official classifications of Koi. Each classification is based on color, pattern and/or scale type.
..Kohaku
A Kohaku has a white body with red patterns. There are many terms used to describe each pattern. "Nidan Kohaku" refers to a pattern with two red spots. Ni meaning two in Japanese. Thus 'Sandan' is three spots, 'Yodan' is four spots and 'Godan' is five spots.
..Taisho Sanke
A 'Sanke' is a three colored koi - white body, red and black accents. The word 'Taisho" refers to the era of the Emperor Taisho.Showa Sanshoku
..Showa Sanshoku
The 'Showa' is also a three coloured koi. But this time the body is black and the accent colours are red and white.
..Utsuri Mono
An 'Utsuri' is a black koi with white (shiro), yellow (ki) or red (hi) accents. 'Utsuri' means reflection in Japanese.
..Hikari Mono
'Hikari' means metallic and 'muji' means solid color. This fish has one body colour of white (platinum), yellow (yamibuki), orange (orenji), gray (nezu) and a metallic sheen.
..Kawarimono
This group refers to any non metallic fish not found under any other classification. The picture shown is a 'Goshiki'. Other varieties include 'Karasu' a solid black koi. 'Kumonryu' a black and white doitsu scaled koi. 'Matsuba' a koi of any colour with the center of every scale shaded black, like a pine cone. 'Ki Goi' a solid yellow koi, not metallic.
..Asagi/Shusui
An Asagi has blue scales outlined by white and a red belly. A Shusui is a doitsu scaled koi with a light blue body and a red belly. Shown here is a Shusui.
..Bekko
'Bekko' means tortoise shell. Bekkos have a body color of either white (shiro), red (aka), or yellow (ki) with black spots on the body with the exception of the head. The head must only have the body color present.
..Goromo
'Goromo' means robed. This fish is white with the individual scales in the red pattern outlined in dark blue.
..Hikari Moyo Mono
'Hikari' means metallic, 'Moyo' means pattern and 'Mono' means group or thing
..Hikari Utsuri
This class includes all metalic fish not included in the two other metallic classifications.
..Gin Rin
'Rin' means diamonds. Koi in this class appear to have rows of diamonds on their dorsals.
..Tancho
'Tancho' is the national bird of Japan. It is a white bird with a red crested head. Needless to say, this fish has a single red spot on its head.
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