Final day (round 2)

Well yesterday we thought we was done buying koi for this trip.
But we actually had a few hours to spare this morning before we needed to head out to Nagaoka train station to catch the Shinkansu Bullet train back to Tokyo to then head to the airport.

So we tried to get around to a few breeders, but because the weather was so nice they was all out at the mud ponds today.

But one breeder was available, Kaneko.

So we headed of to his facility because we had spotted some showas we had our eye on, which Kaneko said they where Isa male Showa and Dianichi Female Oyagoi used in spawning.

So we started bowling up.

Final Day

Well today was the final day buying out in the mountains and we went to see Yamamatsu Koi Farm to hand select his VHQ Jumbo Tosai.

We didn't get to see much of them yesterday as the water was slightly hazy so viewing was almost impossible.

Toshiyaki and his son netted the pond and brought the fish to the surface where we was shocked, the fish where absolutely unbelievable, the sheer quality of the skin on the fish was amazing, and the soft pink beni.

We didn't hesitate to ask to start picking!

After selecting these we headed in to his main fish house where he took us to another pond where he had some more tosai what where available.

We had a look into the pond and where shocked again, every single fish in there was absolutely stunning.

We then decided amongst ourselves we would purchase the whole pond!

The fish which stood out the most in the whole pond was the showa above (bottom on picture)

which had really strong beni and sumi like ink!!

All of the jumbo tosai selected will be issued with certificates.

Day 4

Well today was good, up to now we haven't hand selected any tosai but first thing this morning we headed over to see Miyatora who had a fantastic selection of Go Sanke and a few metallic Tosai to hand select.

We also had a trip over to see a few more breeders we hadnt visited yet, We went over to see Yamamatsu (Matsunosuki).

Unfortunately he was busy today so we couldn't do any hand selecting of any VHQ Jumbo Tosai but we have booked to go and see him at 9am (looking forward to selecting some)

We also called in at Kawakami to have a look at his Nisai but unfortunately he had completely sold out !
But he did have some Tosai to hand select from which we was happy to look at and purchase.
A mixture of Goshiki and Beni Ki Kokuru and Asagi

Unfortunately the images of the tosai are not so great as my lens on my camera has decided to pack up !

Day 3 Maruhiro

Before the end of the day we popped in for a coffee with Maruhiro and had another look in his fish house again.

And in the same tank we looked in the other day where a whole new bunch of fish we didnt even notice !

So again the nets and bowls where out.

But on this occasion Maruhiro being Maruhiro grabbed a net aswell and started pulling out fish we couldnt even see in the pond. (i dont know what it is about these breeders but then can certainly pick out some absolute quality fish)

And then we bowled up enough Nisai to get another box full from him.

Day 3 Hirasawa

Then we headed up to see Hirasawa and had a look around his fish house at his Nisai,

Couldnt resist again as there was some lovely fish there and we just had to buy them.
A new variety he has bred also was in with the mix ki kin ki utsuri.

So we grabbed the nets and started bowling up some fish, and in with all the fish where two big Tancho Sanke which are in demand at the moment so we had to have them.