INishikigoi (Koi) have more than 80 varieties.
Here are the categories used at most of Koi shows.
Kohaku:
Kohaku
is Koi with red pattern on white ground. It has been
said that Koi keeping begins and ends with the Kohaku.
Kohaku, Taisho Sanshoku and Showa Sanshoku are the most
popular varieties, and they are called "Gosanke
(Big 3)."
Taisho Sanshoku:
Taisho
Sanshoku is Koi with relatively spotted Sumi (black)
on Kohaku pattern. Because the variety was created in
the era of Taisho in Japan, it is called "Taisho
Sanshoku." In short, it is also called "Taisho
Sanke" or "Sanke."
Showa Sanshoku:
Showa
Sanshoku is Koi with calligraphic Sumi pattern on Kohaku.
It is called Showa because the variety was created in
the era of Showa in Japan. In short, it is called "Showa
Sanshoku" or "Showa,"
Utsuri mono:
Utsuri
mono indicates varieties with calligraphic pattern on
one solid ground such as Shiro Utsuri, Hi Utsuri, and
Ki Utsuri
Bekko: Bekko is Taisho Sanshoku with
no Hi (red) pattern.
Asagi: The entire body is indigo or
blue. Each scale consists of the netting pattern.
It is the origin of Nishikigoi.
Shusui: Shusui is Doitsu (scale less)
version of Asagi.
Koromo: Koromo has indigo netting pattern
on Hi (red) plate of Kohaku.
Goshiki: Goshiki is the variety that
has Hi (red) pattern on Asagi ground.
Hikari
Muji: Hikari Muji
indicates varieties that have a solid metallic color
such as Ogon, Platinum.
Hikari
Moyo: Hikari Moyo
indicates varieties that have patterns except for
Sumi of Utsuri mono on the metallic ground such
as:
Hariwake-Gold pattern on platinum ground
Kikusui- Doitsu Hariwake that has stronger red
Yamato Nishiki- Metallic Taisho Sanshoku
Heisei Nishiki- Doitsu metallic Taisho Sanshoku
Kujyaku- Metallic Goshiki
Hikari
Utsuri: Hikari Utsuri
indicates varieties that has Sumi pattern of Utsuri
mono on the metallic ground such as:
Kin Showa- Metallic Showa
Gin Shiro Utsuri- Metallic Shiro Utsuri
Kin Ki Utsuri- Metallic Ki Utsuri
Tancho: Tancho is the variety whose
only Hi is the round spot on the head. Depending
on the pattern of the other colors on the body,
they are categorized as Tancho Kohaku, Doitsu Tancho
Kohaku, Tancho Showa, Tancho Goshiki (from left
to right) etc.
Kin
Ginrin: Kin Ginrin
indicates the group of varieties that has diamond
scales on the entire bodies.
Doitsu:: Koi that has no scale is called
Doitsu. Many varieties has Doitsu version.
Kawari
mono: Koi that do
not belong to the above varieties are categorized
to the class of "Kawari mono" at Koi shows.
The examples are Chagoi (Brown or green brown Koi),
Ochiba shigure (Koi has brown and gray pattern),
Kumonryu, Beni Kumonryu etc.
