KOHAKU KOI -- One of the most quoted phrases in koi keeping is that the hobbyist begins with Kohaku and ends with Kohaku. In fact, many new hobbyists overlook the Kohaku koi in preference for the brightly colored Ogon and other metallic koi because they feel that Kohaku look too much like goldfish! However, as they begin to appreciate the colors and patterns of koi, hobbyists often turn to Kohaku because of their simplicity and elegance.
When looking at a large number of kohakus, perhaps hundreds at a time, the first thing I look for is a white tip at the front and back of the fish. It is preferable to have the red on the head of a kohaku to only go down about as far as the nostrils. Also, the head must have red on it. Don't pick a kohaku with an all white head. Red over the eyes of the koi used to be looked down upon, but in modern times it may come down over the eye. However, I think it is better if the red only comes down over one eye, not both eyes at the same time.
The head is generally one of the most important parts in an early koi. Now that you have several koi with acceptable head patterns, I look at the rest of the body. As I said earlier, I also look to see if there is a white patch right before the tail. If at all possible, I would like one there, but if all the rest of the koi has positive characteristics, this is not as important as the head.
For the body, I look for red that is balanced side to side and covers 70% of the body. This is so that as the koi grows up, and the white comes up, there is still adequate red on the body. The red on the body can be in a zig_zag pattern (inazuma), a three or four step pattern, or anything else that looks eye catching. If the red is straight with no signs of breaking, the pattern may be uninteresting as the koi grows. I also look for koi that are broad at the shoulders, have a large skull, and have relatively large pectoral fins. This generally means the koi will grow larger to compete in shows.
Colors
Kohaku are white koi with red (hi) markings. Ideally, the hi should have a good depth of color but, more importantly, the color should be of a uniform shade and the edge of the hi pattern should be well defined. This definition between white and hi markings is known as "kiwa". There appear to be two types of coloration.
The purplish red hi is dark and does not fade easily. This color is considered to lack elegance and tends to splatter over the koi. Brownish red hi can produce a very fine, almost translucent, color but tends to fade easily. The white should be the color of fresh snow and free from blemishes. A poor white, which can be dirty yellow in appearance, will spoil an otherwise good Kohaku because the hi pattern will not stand out.The unity and balance of color and pattern on a Kohaku are of the utmost importance. As a general guideline, the hi should cover between 50 and 70 percent of the koi.
Patterns
Because Kohaku appears as such a simple koi in terms of coloration, the criteria by which they are judged is severe. The pattern is the last thing to consider when the koi is being judged but is probably the most discussed. Balance over the whole of the koi's body is the key to any pattern.
Head
On any Kohaku the hi pattern begins on the head. The traditional head pattern for the hi is a large U shape, which should reach down as far as the eyes. If the hi does not reach the eyes, the pattern can be balanced by "kuchibeni" or lipstick like markings. A hi marking that reaches the mouth is know as "hanatsuki" and a pattern that spreads over the face is called "menkaburi". Recently, koi keepers have begun to appreciate Kohaku with interesting or irregular shaped marking on the head.
Body
Large hi markings are preferred to small hi markings. A break in the pattern is preferred between the back of the head and the shoulder. Variation is also important. Koi grow from the abdomen, so when selecting a young Kohaku, look for a large pattern of hi. Balance of pattern over the body of the koi is most important. A Kohaku that has most of its hi pattern at the front of its body lacks balance and elegance.
Patterns
Inazuma: This is a continuous pattern, extending from the head to the tail, but with a zig zag look. Inazuma literally means lightning.
Nidan: Nidan means two and this koi has two hi markings.
Sandan This Koi has three hi markings.
Yondan: This Kohaku has four hi markings.
Goten-zakura: This koi has a cherry-blossom pattern. The hi is dappled and looks like clusters of grapes.
Kanoko: This fish actually is classified in the Kawarimono class and not Kohaku in shows. The head hi is solid but the body hi is dappled.
Tail
The end of the pattern is as important as the beginning. On a perfectly marked Kohaku, the hi pattern ends just before the tail joint.
Fins
Snow white fins are the perfect accompaniment to the red on white pattern of a large koi. As a general rule, hi extending into the fins is considered detrimental to the koi's markings. Hi in the pelvic fins is not a problem because it cannot be seen when the koi is judged.
Scalation
Scalation should be even all over the body of the koi. The Japanese prefer hi that is strong enough to disguise the individual scales. Scales that are visible because the hi is thin are known as "kokesuki". A Kohaku of any pattern with scales only along the dorsal and lateral lines is known as a Doitsu Kohaku.
When buying young kohakus, don't worry too much about the color. The white should preferably be snow white but may also be pink if it was color fed before shipping. Avoid kohakus with a dirty grayish_white. As for the red, it may be either bright red or orange_red. Many orange_red young kohakus turn a pretty red as they grow. Next make sure there are no red or black marks on any of the fins. A small red patch at the base of the pectorals may be okay. Also, make sure there are no black marks on the body. All red on the body should also be in sizeable patches, not in single scale areas (ie. small red spots).
Last, but not least, take the koi out in a show tub and check for any body defects or any signs of disease. If these exist, do not buy the fish no matter how nice it looks. I hope this information can give you some help in selecting kohakus. Who knows? In 7 years you may have a grand champion.
REFERENCE
AKCA Library
Japan Online
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