Page 13 - Koi Net - On-Line Koi Magazine - Issue 6
P. 13
Japan but I knew that wasn’t true of the ZNA’s I was expecting there to be more Koi in the show, but
International Show (their big show). The Kanto District any disappointment there vanished when I found out
use the term ‘Sakura’ for Group A and likewise there was going to be just one judging team, so I would
‘Na-no-hana’ (for Group B) because they have particular get to see them all. Compare this to some of the larger
significance for the time of year the Kanto District Show shows I’ve judged where there have been over 1,000+
is held. I learned that some other shows in Japan adopt Koi that end up being divided between 5 or more
a similar policy choosing names more significant to the judging teams. The numbers work out exactly the
local area. same.
Remember those 45 vats that I couldn’t figure out their In addition to any expectations I had some concerns.
purpose? And those subliminal images that Shoji kept The most important of which was whether I would find
pointing out to me? They all became apparent once we the lack of language an issue. Kanto had provided Shoji
started judging Round 2. The Best in Size winners got as an interpreter but translating everything Takano and
a blue sticker, the Sakura prizes a pink one and the Yamaba Sans said seriously slowed things down, so we
Na-no-hana’s a yellow one. Furthermore those winning dispensed with that and only translated the more
Koi would be moved to an appropriate vat (by size) in challenging decisions. Other than that everything else
one of those additional rows indicated by either a blue, was very familiar. The paperwork, although in Kanji, was
pink or yellow marker. easy to follow and use.
This concept of incorporating the local culture into the The Show Matrix revealed that 101 of the 187 Koi were
Results sheet, notice the structure of the Koi show went a little further too. I in the Gosanke Classes, a very familiar distribution to
colour coding.
suspect most readers are aware that a feature of most the UK. That Show Matrix will also reveal that
Japanese shows is the giving of rice as a present to the approximately 50% of the Show Classes had only a
award winners. That featured here too for the winners of single entry which would normally reduce the amount of
the 2nd Round and Major prizes, but for the 1st Round time spent judging them, but with each size requiring a
winners they received a box containing peanuts (in their Na-no-hana prize that had to be borne in mind and
shells) along with their certificates. The local area is therefore took a little longer. That Matrix will also reveal
renowned for them, so yet another local element that a significant amount of the remaining entries had
incorporated into the show. just two in the Class – normally an easy job to choose a
first. However, such was the quality that that wasn’t
I was told that at the 2017 show they received a different
easy at all for the majority of the time. When a selection
local product. This made me wonder if we should adopt was so close I assumed a consolation prize would be
a similar practice at The All England Koi Show. Kent is awarded automatically, but that wasn’t the case. My
known as the Garden of England and September is
judging compatriots were insistent on quality. The
around the harvest time; so there’s a thought. This could
Shinkokai All Japan Show and even the BKKS National
present a problem for our Young Koi Show as planting
in recent years have added additional prizes (especially
wouldn’t have begun. However, this could be overcome
when move-ups and exclusions are applied) to lessen
with presents of Spitfire Beer, another local product and Superior Champion. the level of competition, but not here. We need only
one that isn’t restricted by the seasons. However, I digress.
consider two of the most popular Japanese game
I was asked by a friend on my return whether this show shows on British television e.g. Takeshi’s Castle and
met with my expectations and my answer was easy, Ninja Warrior. How often do those shows end with no
Mature Champion. “Yes – eventually”. I was expecting to see quality Koi winner? Taking part and tough competition is the order
and in that I wasn’t disappointed. Especially as I was of the day and if this show is the norm in Japan it’s the
seeing the type of Koi favoured and kept by fellow same for the hobbyist Koi shows.
judges and hobbyists.
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