Page 10 - Koi Net - On-Line Koi Magazine - Issue 6
P. 10
Those 30 show vats were placed in one area of the ZNA permit and indeed expect their Chapters to alter
Tani Fish Farm grounds. Each was separated from the those classifications to suit the local environment. The
others by a gap of approximately 2 metres. Adjacent to Kanto District took advantage of this rule and merged
this area was a smaller one where 6 vats were set aside 4 classes into two and then added another. Bekko &
for the eventual winners of the major prizes. Across the Mujimono were united, as were Hikari-Moyo &
entrance drive were another 45 vats set out in three Hikari-Utsuri, in addition they added a Kinginrin B Class.
rows of 15 whose purpose I couldn’t fathom at the time.
But all was to become clear eventually. Furthermore the Classes were divided into two groups.
Group A consisted of Kohaku, Sanke, Showa,
Before I go any further I should mention what occurred Utsurimono and Kinginrin A. Group B – the rest.
on the day I arrived because unbeknown to me at the
187 Koi spread over 15 Sizes and 13 Classes may at
time it would eventually become relevant. I was met at
first glance look like a way of ensuring the prizes were
the airport by Shoji Saito a fully certified ZNA judge that
distributed to the point of eliminating competition. Many
I had judged with on several occasions. Shoji was to be
my guide and interpreter for the duration of the show. of us are aware of the All Japan Show where Sizes,
Shoji took me sightseeing in and around the Kanto area. Show Classes and multiple 2nd prizes proliferate but it
turned out to be quite the opposite here. Kanto District
We visited a shrine, an outdoor museum and had a meal
were quite frugal in their awards, and so too were the
in a small village. It was a warm day and the sky was
judges in awarding them.
clear of clouds, a lovely blue, something we’d been
missing in England. This time of the year the cherry In the first round of judging in the UK (each Class in each
blossom (Sakura) was out. So too was a plant called Size) there is a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize. In Kanto this was
Na-no-hana a type of field mustard of the same family limited to just a 1st. Judges can award discretionary
as our rape seed. Shoji took pains to point these out. ‘consolation prizes’ and the Show Committee advised
Several times he showed me views containing all three – us that approximately 30% is the norm. However, I
blue sky above, cherry blossom on the horizon doubt whether we reached that figure. The quality was
underpinned by the yellow mustard flowers. Far from high but so too were the standards set by the Head
grasping that he was making a point I began to get Judge Mr Yoshio Takano (CJ) from the Ishikawa Chapter.
bored by him repeating himself. However, the next day I The other Judge Mr Shinichi Yamaba (ACJ) was from the
would appreciate the significance. Echizen Chapter. So like me, they were all outsiders. The
Young Champion. This District Show separates the Koi into 15 different awards in this round were indicated by a small blue
sticker stuck on the benching card.
sizes starting at 15-20cms increasing in 5cms
increments to 85+cms. There were 13 Show Classes, In the second round (Best in Size) we were told to select
11 of which are identical to those used in the UK. Before 3 Koi. The first from any Show Class in the Size, the next
I continue I think I should elaborate here. The 13 Show only from Group A and the other from Group B. Those
Classes used in the UK were until very recently identical awarded ‘Best in Size’ went forward to compete for the
to those of the ZNA standard model. Two years ago they Major prizes, e.g. those from the 3 smallest Sizes
introduced a 14th. That class is called MujiMono and Adult Champion. competing for Baby Champion, those in the largest three
covers the non-patterned varieties that were previously ‘Superior Champion’ with the others, equally divided
benched in Kawarimono. Under this new system, only into 3 for the Young, Adult and Mature Champions.
patterned Kawaris remain in Kawarimono. This concept
is the same as that invented and deployed five years The terminology used within the judging team referred to
ago by the Dutch Chapter (NVN). However, the Dutch Group A and Group B etc etc. However, the terminology
refer to them as KawariMuji (plain) and KawariMoyo used by the Show Committee was a bit more elaborate.
(patterned). The term Sakura is used at the All Japan Shinkokai
Show, and until recently at the BKKS National. Indeed,
we were led to believe that they were in universal use in
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