Page 56 - Koi Net - On-Line Koi Magazine - Issue 11
P. 56
APPRECIATION, AND shape then we can only disagree if one of us does not
understand what a good body shape looks like.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR One of the most frequently asked questions that I am
asked is: “What makes one Koi more expensive than
Deron Simons of Select Nishikigoi examines another one?” Many lesser experienced hobbyists
the reasons for purchasing a Koi. believe that it is simply a case of the bigger the Koi the
higher the price. Others think it must be related to the
pattern. When you explain that it is sixty percent down
to body shape, thirty percent down to skin quality,
pigmentation, etc, then deportment, and finally
One of the most enjoyable aspects of our hobby is pattern, many often express considerable surprise.
searching for new Koi to add to our collections. However, when they then think about this it normally
Naturally everyone is looking for something different makes good sense to them. Pattern for example is a
but all the same there are many, many similarities in purely personal thing. I always use the analogy that
the Koi that we all like and strive to find. What criteria THE ONE you cannot say a green car is better quality than a blue
each of us applies to possible candidates for our new one. It is personal choice in this regard.
acquisition will depend upon our personal likes and THING THAT
dislikes and also will differ according to what we wish Moving onto aspects such as skin quality this is more
our new Koi to achieve for us. Are we looking for a Koi EVERYONE easily explained by being able to show people two Koi
to grow on and to watch develop or are we looking for REMARKED together, one with better skin quality than the other, it
a Koi to enter into a show in the near or not so near then becomes very clear to the viewer. It is very
BODY SHAPE, future. All such requirements will affect our possible ABOUT WAS difficult to describe in words. I attended a Koi show to
selections. However, whichever requirements that we meet up with clients who were exhibiting some of their
SKIN QUALITY, wish to meet, there are obviously some criteria that THE WHITE Koi and to check on some Koi belonging to another
DEPORTMENT can be applied to all and any possible potential SKIN OF THE client, and good friend, who could not attend the show
on both days. This gentleman owns a truly superb
purchases.
SHOULD Whatever we intend for our new Koi we should always KOHAKU Kohaku whose skin quality is of an exceptional
standard. I stood by his vat and watched and listened
ALWAYS BE look for the basic criteria that makes a good Koi just to the comments made by people admiring the Koi
that. Basic points such as body shape, skin quality, being exhibited. The one thing that everyone remarked
TAKEN INTO deportment should naturally always be taken into about was the white skin of the Kohaku. Even when
account. Why would any of us wish to purchase a poor
ACCOUNT quality Koi? More accurately, why would any of us people who were obviously very new to the hobby
looked into this vat, and remarks such as “look at how
wish to knowingly purchase a poor quality Koi? I am
white that Koi is, it just glows,” were quickly heard.
sure that if we all knew perfectly well what constitutes
This is how obvious good quality skin is when it is
a poor quality Koi then we would alter our choice
seen. You have to be able to compare. This is why it is
accordingly. Whilst some of us may well believe that
important to view good Koi, average Koi and poor
we can assess the shape, skin quality, etc, of a Koi, is
quality Koi. The more that you do this the easier it
this in fact true? I was once told by a hobbyist that the
becomes to see the differences in all aspects of Koi
quality of a Koi is subjective. He stated that, for
appreciation.
example, what constitutes a good body shape
depends on the opinion of the person assessing it. I One of the main stumbling blocks regarding the
completely disagreed with him. My reply was that a appreciation of Koi and also one of the aspects which
Koi either has a good shape or it does not, there is no causes confusion when looking to purchase a Koi is,
middle ground. If we are looking at a Koi with a good again body shape. Whilst many would profess to know
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