"WE ARE KODAMA"
We began our journey in 1967 when Mamoru Kodama founded Miyoshiike Co., Ltd. in Japan.
Now decades later our business serves koi lovers around the world from Hawaii.
Meet the Kodama Family
Mamoru Kodama
Founder & Chairman of Miyoshike Co., Ltd.
Mamoru Kodama has dedicated his life to the study, care and cultivation of the highest quality Nishikigoi.
Long respected as an expert in the industry, he is recognized as one of the top “eyes” when it comes to the nuance of identifying high quality Nishikigoi. His devotion is fueled by the smiles, happiness, and peace he sees Nishikigoi bring to people, his mission has been to continue bringing this positivity worldwide.
To pass on his knowledge and the traditions of his craft, he became an Koi educator.
Mamoru has travelled the world leading Koi seminars. He’s also a respected authored, including two texts which are considered the bible for Koi loves, Kokugyo I and II.
His writing was inspired while teaching in the states, when he observed information had been misinterpreted and passed on by American dealers. As a Japanese Koi dealer, her felt obligated to provide the type of accurate instruction that would ensure continuation of the traditional legacy he learned and valued.
Mamoru Kodama
Founder & Chairman of Miyoshike Co., Ltd.
Mamoru's Story Continued (click to open)
Mamoru’s passion for Koi began when he started his aquaculture company. He quickly became drawn to the beauty and uniqueness of Nishikigoi. He loved how these Koi were the only product he knew where value was determined by its beauty not its weight.
That’s when he began his many treks to visit the breeders in Niigata, which he calles the cradle of Nishikigoi. His trips so frequent over the years he’s established deep relationships that are an unparalleled company asset.
A true craftsman he naturally expanded from dealer to breeder…
As time passed his success, passion, and intrigue grew. After winning 5 grand champions at all Japan Nishikigoi shows, his desire to take the work to the next level led him to the new challenge of breeding.
A purist at heart, he believed tropical weather was better for breeding and raising Koi so he said yes to an opportunity in Taiwan which allowed him to breed and teach with great success. During this ten-year span he deepened his insight and sharpened his expert eye.
Currently, Kodama Koi Farm is breeding and dealing Nishikigoi internationally. It’s a family business that respectfully maintains the core values and lineage set forth by Mamoru Kodama, a true Nishikigoi Master Breeder and pioneer who lead the way toward bringing accurate information to inform the growing interest of Koi breeders and hobbyists.
His legacy set the stage to uphold Japanese Nishikigoi breeding traditions worldwide.
Mamoru Kodama is a man with passion and integrity. He loves a challenge and always strives to serve his customers by increasing his bar of excellence. This consistency is driven by a true love for the beauty and joy of the Nishikigoi…
Mamoru Kodama Career Overview
- 1962 – Researcher at Freshwater Fisheries Experimental Station of Aichi prefecture, Japan (5 years).
- 1967 – Founded Miyoshiike, a specialized dealer of Niigata Nishikigoi.
- 1989 – Opened a branch store in Chiba, Japan.
- 1993 – Opened a breeding farm in Okinawa, Japan.
- 1998 – Opened a online store, Koimall.com.
- 2000 – Launched Japan Koi Online, a distribution center in California and assigned his son, Taro Kodama as president. This branch of his legacy has introduced more than 200,000 Niigata Koi individually to enthusiast throughout the USA which would not have been possible without the carefully cultivated network of breeders he established in Niigata over the course of 40 years.
- 2001 – Began writing monthly articles for KOI USA magazine introducing the Niigata Koi breeders who are his friends and colleagues.
- 2002 – Kokugyo Vol. 1 published, the first Koi book written by a Koi dealer in English.
- 2004 – Kokugyo Vol. 2 – Nishikigoi Development published, which earned him high commendations from overseas dealers and Koi lovers as Nishikigoi authority.
- 2004 – Established Save Nishikigoi Network with colleagues in response to impact to Niigata breeders after magnitude 6.8 earthquake. This group provided support and fundraising for those impacted by earthquake damage.
- 2004 – International Nishikigoi Promotion Center (INPC) launched. Save Nishikigoi Network evolved into a non-profit with the purpose of promoting Nishikigoi worldwide. Mamoru served as the first chairman.
- 1991 – Began breeding Koi and teaching others to breed in Taiwan.
- 2006 – Kodama Koi Farm launched in Hawaii. The farm moved from California to Hawaii to provide increased quality to customers being closer to Japan.
- 2012 – Opened Kodama Koi Garden in NJ.
- 2013 – Opened Kodama Koi Garden in NY.
- 2015 – Opened Kodama Koi Garden in FL.
- 2018 – Kokugyo Vol. 3 published.
Taro Kodama
President of Kodama Koi Farm
Taro was raised with his father Mamuro Kodama instilling a love for the tradition of enjoying and raising Japanese Nishikigoi. He was taught this craft with the intention of bringing happiness and beauty to the world.
His father’s passion became his passion. Now he leads the way ensuring the highest quality Nishikigoi, and all required to care for them, is available to professionals and hobbyists around the world.
Taro and his team approach each day centered on his father’s belief that when focusing on cultivating the joy that comes from taking care of Koi, abundance in business will naturally follow…
Taro Kodama
President of Kodama Koi Farm
Teaching Lessons and Family Secrets
Each team member learns the traditional values that come from generations of experience. Taro is honored to teach the lessons and family secrets his father imparted to him his entire life. He is proud of his work family and recognizes how they’ve helped them succeed through how they care for and manage the diet of thousands of koi using the Kodama family Koi Food, techniques and best practices. Learn more on our koi blog.
As a result they’ve experienced success as the largest Japanese Nishikigoi distributor in the United States. Service and support is a core value of Taro’s, he’s committed to providing access to high quality Koi and all needed to care for them. That’s the true victory…helping others care for and enjoy the Nishikigoi they are raising.
“With the lessons and family secrets my father has taught me, we are proud to have the opportunity to bring magnificent Japanese Koi to the United States, Canada, and the rest of the World.” – Taro Kodama