Page 72 - Koi Net - On-Line Koi Magazine - Issue 6

Masato Can’t Stop for a Flat
Koda Koi Farm’s Masato Hoshino turned
up in a rush to see us at his farm in
Kawaguchi only for us to notice that he
had a flat tyre on his truck. He looked at it,
kicked it and then jumped in and rushed
off up the mountain to do some work –
only here in Niigata!

Cameraman Dan Read
Notice any similarity about this
cameraman? On our latest filming trip for
KoiVisionTV we were joined by Nik Read’s
son, Dan, many people in the Koi World will
Martin Symonds of Japan Koi Export know Nik (New Vision) for the numerous
(JKX) gives a snapshot of what’s videos and DVDs he made on Koi in the
happening in and around Niigata. past and is now working with us on
Martin Symonds has been visiting Japan Old Style Wooden Carrying Crate KoiVision. Dan looked very comfortable
since 1981 his relationship with the behind the lens and the resemblance to his
breeders of Niigata and insight into While at Oya Koi Farm with Kataoka Taro I Dad is uncanny.
Japanese culture is unique. He lived in came across this old style wooden carrying
Mushigame and Ojiya for over 10 years and crate that the breeders used to use to
the JKX office is located in Ojiya next to the transport Koi around. It’s interesting to
Koi museum. JKX bring Koi hobbyists from think that this style was still being used up
around the world and supply Koi until the 1960s. This is a small version and
throughout the year from this area. I have been told in the past that breeders
‘Postcard from Niigata’ gives a different would carry two larger versions weighing
look at things going on there. up to 15kgs each and walk down the
(Below: Martin with three generations of mountains to Ojiya to either deliver Koi to Larger-than-Life Sanke
the Sakai family of Yamamatsu Koi Farm.) the two wholesalers in the town or even If you visit Marudo Koi Farm you will get to
take them on trains to either Tokyo or see his latest addition which is a true
Kyoto. Jumbo Koi the size of a car. This larger-
than-life Sanke at the moment is outside
Mushigame Breeders’ Young Koi Show his house, not 100% sure if that’s where
it’s staying, but it certainly is an imposing
Mushigame Breeders’ Young Koi Show feature as you arrive at the farm.
held in May. This is the last Show of the
season here in Niigata, held up in
Mushigame Village it’s attended by the
majority of breeders in the area and has
been taking place for so many years. It’s Piranha, a change from Showa
never really been a Show for people to visit Isa Koi Farm’s Mitsunori Isa is world famous
but of course you can, but this is a Show for his Showa, but he was very excited to
prepared and judged by the breeders show me his latest addition to his farm, a
themselves, it has a great atmosphere and Red breasted Piranha. Now I am not
after the Show everyone goes to lunch.
saying he’s starting a new business in
This year’s Grand Champion was a breeding them, but it does look imposing
2 year old from Yamamatsu Koi Farm. as you enter the office at the farm.
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