I feel today I have bought enough koi for now - we already have Momotaro and Yohei koi in and Omosako koi due in soon.
I sorted out some boxes of mixed koi with Siato san. His cousin is a breeder of many varieties. It always pays to speak with the breeders and tell them what you are looking for! But, don't ask Shintaro for Sanke, and don't ask Marudo for Kohaku!
Tomorrow I will visit Niigata city for the first time with Claire, she deserves to do a little shopping after helping me on this trip. We took a few presents for the breeders and bar staff, so now have 2 suitcases less than half full. Perfect for souvenirs!
In the future when I take customers to Japan I want to be able to offer a few days sightseeing, so the next week will be my research, as we plan to spend the week in Tokyo. Japan has so much to offer, and after 140+ hours in an aeroplane, I have yet to see more than Narita Airport, Tokyo Station, and Yamakoshi.
I will post some pictures on my blog of our travels, for those interested in Tokyo.
For those that know a little Japanese,
Mata ne
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Friday, 15 April 2011
Day 4
I had made an appointment the previous day to select Kaneko koi from NND. The appointment was made for 9.30, and by 9.40, the pond had been netted for me to make my selection.
I was looking for Kujaku, Shiro Utsuri and Matsukawabake. I wanted some Tancho Showa from another pond, but was told 3 pieces were sold (got to have been the best three!) and I wasn't happy with the price. I also picked limited numbers of Kumonryu and Asagi.
In the afternoon, I visited a couple of shops to buy some decorations for our premises, similar to the 'Visit Niigata' banners seen 2 years ago all over Yamakoshi. I managed to get the Kokugyo banners, which are of a similar size and feature 3 famous koi from Shinkokai shows.
Later in the afternoon, I called in at Torazo to ask about a large Kohaku for a customer. Fingers crossed this will be coming back to the UK.
I must apologise for the lack of photos from today - I tried to download the photos from the camera, and they have all gone???
I was looking for Kujaku, Shiro Utsuri and Matsukawabake. I wanted some Tancho Showa from another pond, but was told 3 pieces were sold (got to have been the best three!) and I wasn't happy with the price. I also picked limited numbers of Kumonryu and Asagi.
In the afternoon, I visited a couple of shops to buy some decorations for our premises, similar to the 'Visit Niigata' banners seen 2 years ago all over Yamakoshi. I managed to get the Kokugyo banners, which are of a similar size and feature 3 famous koi from Shinkokai shows.
Later in the afternoon, I called in at Torazo to ask about a large Kohaku for a customer. Fingers crossed this will be coming back to the UK.
I must apologise for the lack of photos from today - I tried to download the photos from the camera, and they have all gone???
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Oomo san/Niigata Peace
I spent more time today with Oomo san than I have in the last 5 years. It did help having Claire here who speaks far more Japanese than me. Oomo san questioned us on entering the koi house about the radiation, and whether we feel safe. I replied that I didn't know, and just wanted to select some good koi!
Niigata Nishikigoi Direct are agents/shippers and main suppliers for at least 6 good sized koi dealers in the UK - this spring only one of these dealers has been out. I have bought from Kaneko and Marusho before, but never NND.
It is very quiet in Yamakoshi right now, with very few people seen out and about, most breeders do seem a little concerned by the lack of customers. I remember 4 years ago, you had to book to get into Nomole, the most famous Nagaoka bar where koi kichi would meet. Now, I would be alone if it was not for Claire.
The long winter is hindering their yearly schedule, with the mud ponds several weeks away from being full. The snow is still around one metre deep in places. This potentially changes the next 4 or five years, as a shorter season means smaller koi. The breeders like to make their pairings as early as possible, so that if any accidents occur, or the pairing produces few koi, they can spawn another set.
With a poor exchange rate (which the breeders cannot really help) and general feeling of recession in the UK and Europe, things could be much tougher for the breeders next year if the tosai harvests in September are not successful.
As a sign of how quiet things are out here, I have not even seen any Chinese people buying nishikigoi!
Niigata Nishikigoi Direct are agents/shippers and main suppliers for at least 6 good sized koi dealers in the UK - this spring only one of these dealers has been out. I have bought from Kaneko and Marusho before, but never NND.
It is very quiet in Yamakoshi right now, with very few people seen out and about, most breeders do seem a little concerned by the lack of customers. I remember 4 years ago, you had to book to get into Nomole, the most famous Nagaoka bar where koi kichi would meet. Now, I would be alone if it was not for Claire.
The long winter is hindering their yearly schedule, with the mud ponds several weeks away from being full. The snow is still around one metre deep in places. This potentially changes the next 4 or five years, as a shorter season means smaller koi. The breeders like to make their pairings as early as possible, so that if any accidents occur, or the pairing produces few koi, they can spawn another set.
With a poor exchange rate (which the breeders cannot really help) and general feeling of recession in the UK and Europe, things could be much tougher for the breeders next year if the tosai harvests in September are not successful.
As a sign of how quiet things are out here, I have not even seen any Chinese people buying nishikigoi!
Day 3 in Niigata
Today I set off in search of a few different koi, like Kumonryu, Kujaku, Asagi and Doitsu Ochiba Shigure.
I went to Hiroi to speak to him about selecting tosai, but the ponds available for selection were very limited and I decided I couldn't get one box at the price I was given.
From there I felt maybe trying a new breeder might be worth it, but after making a few visits, despite what the breeder book says, they didn't have 'HIGH QUALITY'. This is often the case. The breeder book has many uses, but I don't think it is so helpful in finding new koi outlets. I think word of mouth and stopping at new fish houses is far more productive.
Miyatora had the selection of varieties, I saw several hundred Kumonryu but I doubt they will be priced for selection, and they are rather small.
At this point, I had only bought some Kokugyo banners for decoration in the fish house, but I did not consider the day a waste. I had been given a price on a few special koi, and found some interesting koi that will be worth checking out at Nisai.
I called in at Niigata Nishikigoi Direct. After not finding the exact koi I wanted at Kaneko's own facility, I had a feeling I might be in luck. The koi have been fed heavily today, so I will make my selections tomorrow. I spent around 2 hours talking to Oomo san about the kind of koi I am looking for and my aim for the next couple of years. We spoke about the koi industry in the UK and how the different types of practice alter the business relationship in Japan. Oomo san was surprised about the BKKS National date, and appreciated discussing the effect on trade, koi and the koi club itself.
At NND, there are some very nice koi that I have my eye on, and will be trying very hard to buy them. I do hope I have some fantastic pictures for you tomorrow evening!
I went to Hiroi to speak to him about selecting tosai, but the ponds available for selection were very limited and I decided I couldn't get one box at the price I was given.
From there I felt maybe trying a new breeder might be worth it, but after making a few visits, despite what the breeder book says, they didn't have 'HIGH QUALITY'. This is often the case. The breeder book has many uses, but I don't think it is so helpful in finding new koi outlets. I think word of mouth and stopping at new fish houses is far more productive.
Miyatora had the selection of varieties, I saw several hundred Kumonryu but I doubt they will be priced for selection, and they are rather small.
At this point, I had only bought some Kokugyo banners for decoration in the fish house, but I did not consider the day a waste. I had been given a price on a few special koi, and found some interesting koi that will be worth checking out at Nisai.
I called in at Niigata Nishikigoi Direct. After not finding the exact koi I wanted at Kaneko's own facility, I had a feeling I might be in luck. The koi have been fed heavily today, so I will make my selections tomorrow. I spent around 2 hours talking to Oomo san about the kind of koi I am looking for and my aim for the next couple of years. We spoke about the koi industry in the UK and how the different types of practice alter the business relationship in Japan. Oomo san was surprised about the BKKS National date, and appreciated discussing the effect on trade, koi and the koi club itself.
At NND, there are some very nice koi that I have my eye on, and will be trying very hard to buy them. I do hope I have some fantastic pictures for you tomorrow evening!
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Quiet in Niigata
I'm not sure if it the exchange rate, general economy thoughts, or earthquake/tsunami/radiation fears, but it is very quiet in Niigata. Steve goes home tomorrow, and I am very glad I have Claire with me for company during the day.
Tonight has been one of my favourite nights in Nagaoka. Takahashi san and Saito san (of Shintaro fame) have made the night most enjoyable, when talking about nishikigoi, life in Japan or general conversation.
As far as I am aware, there are no English dealers staying in Nagaoka, and even Mark Gardner has deserted Niigata!
I am about to start to add koi to our website - be sure to check out the Shintaro Go-Sanke and Marudo Kohaku before they are sold!
Chris
Tonight has been one of my favourite nights in Nagaoka. Takahashi san and Saito san (of Shintaro fame) have made the night most enjoyable, when talking about nishikigoi, life in Japan or general conversation.
As far as I am aware, there are no English dealers staying in Nagaoka, and even Mark Gardner has deserted Niigata!
I am about to start to add koi to our website - be sure to check out the Shintaro Go-Sanke and Marudo Kohaku before they are sold!
Chris
Second Day in Niigata
I planned to go back to Marudo today to find a general selection for our small ponds.
As I had started off at Maruhoshi and Marudo yesterday, I had not yet called in at Kankeo to check on stocks. 80% of first timers to Niigata will start at Kaneko as their facility is the first 'house hold' name when driving in from Nagaoka. I went to Kaneko first, and was not surprised by the amount of Utsuri and Kujaku, but not quite what I was looking for.
I carried on through Mushigame, giving Claire (translator, note keeper, and girlfriend!) a tour of the area she had not yet seen, all the way to one of my favourite villages, Koguriyama. Hiroi, Masaki and Shinoda were 3 places I called in - I plan to go back to Hiroi to select Tosai later.
I really wanted to see Marudo as they have such a large business, you can buy most varieties from here, in all sizes. I wanted Chagoi, Asagi and other non go sanke koi. Chagoi were sold out, and they didn't breed Asagi last year. I already have their Shusui. Hisashi san remembered I was owed some Tosai, so Keiko san and Claire helped sort out the details, and I was given the 3 Kohaku below, and Hisashi will select the remainder. The koi I wanted to select were all being fed, so Hisashi will select another 35 koi for me. They looked great!
Again, Gibbo was there before me sorting orders for his own customers, so we headed back to Mushigame to find the assorted small tosai we were after. Steve has written many articles lately for the breeders of Niigata, and wanted to drop one in at Kazuto Ikarashi, but he wasn't in. The phone rang and it was Saito san inviting us for tea.
Sat with Saito san, he asked what koi I was looking for and I said Showa. After tea, he decided he would let me pick Showa from a pond that were not for sale yesterday. I picked another 8 koi, all female jumbo tosai.
As I had started off at Maruhoshi and Marudo yesterday, I had not yet called in at Kankeo to check on stocks. 80% of first timers to Niigata will start at Kaneko as their facility is the first 'house hold' name when driving in from Nagaoka. I went to Kaneko first, and was not surprised by the amount of Utsuri and Kujaku, but not quite what I was looking for.
I carried on through Mushigame, giving Claire (translator, note keeper, and girlfriend!) a tour of the area she had not yet seen, all the way to one of my favourite villages, Koguriyama. Hiroi, Masaki and Shinoda were 3 places I called in - I plan to go back to Hiroi to select Tosai later.
I really wanted to see Marudo as they have such a large business, you can buy most varieties from here, in all sizes. I wanted Chagoi, Asagi and other non go sanke koi. Chagoi were sold out, and they didn't breed Asagi last year. I already have their Shusui. Hisashi san remembered I was owed some Tosai, so Keiko san and Claire helped sort out the details, and I was given the 3 Kohaku below, and Hisashi will select the remainder. The koi I wanted to select were all being fed, so Hisashi will select another 35 koi for me. They looked great!
Again, Gibbo was there before me sorting orders for his own customers, so we headed back to Mushigame to find the assorted small tosai we were after. Steve has written many articles lately for the breeders of Niigata, and wanted to drop one in at Kazuto Ikarashi, but he wasn't in. The phone rang and it was Saito san inviting us for tea.
Sat with Saito san, he asked what koi I was looking for and I said Showa. After tea, he decided he would let me pick Showa from a pond that were not for sale yesterday. I picked another 8 koi, all female jumbo tosai.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Fantastic first day back
Today was my first day in Yamakoshi for some time. Steve Gibbins of www.koitours.com had a few things planned today that didn't work out, so we headed off to Shintaro together.
Shintaro is a breeder I have always liked, personally and as a koi breeder. As soon as I saw the first tategoi pond, I was impressed - the koi looked massive and of exceptional quality. After watching these koi being fed, we moved to pond I intended to select from, and Saito san netted them all. It wasn't long until I had a bowl of great Kohaku and Sanke. After this we went back to the house for Japanese curry.
After lunch, we went to the other tosai house to sort out some smaller tosai, and took some sample shots for a few trade customers. I also bought some for the shop, I must say, some great koi for the money.
I have a few orders for special koi, one being an 80+ cm Go-Sanke, a show quality Doitsu Showa and Tancho Showa. I thought a quick stop to Isa would provide the goods, Hide Hirasawa (Isa staff) was there who breeds Doitsu Go-Sanke but he is sold out, a deal could not be made on the Tancho Showa, and I didn't feel there was an 80cm koi that the customer would want. It's never easy buying koi in Japan!
Still, its the first day, so I'm not too worried! Here are some koi I bought from Shintaro, all Female Jumbo Tosai. Enjoy!
Shintaro is a breeder I have always liked, personally and as a koi breeder. As soon as I saw the first tategoi pond, I was impressed - the koi looked massive and of exceptional quality. After watching these koi being fed, we moved to pond I intended to select from, and Saito san netted them all. It wasn't long until I had a bowl of great Kohaku and Sanke. After this we went back to the house for Japanese curry.
After lunch, we went to the other tosai house to sort out some smaller tosai, and took some sample shots for a few trade customers. I also bought some for the shop, I must say, some great koi for the money.
I have a few orders for special koi, one being an 80+ cm Go-Sanke, a show quality Doitsu Showa and Tancho Showa. I thought a quick stop to Isa would provide the goods, Hide Hirasawa (Isa staff) was there who breeds Doitsu Go-Sanke but he is sold out, a deal could not be made on the Tancho Showa, and I didn't feel there was an 80cm koi that the customer would want. It's never easy buying koi in Japan!
Still, its the first day, so I'm not too worried! Here are some koi I bought from Shintaro, all Female Jumbo Tosai. Enjoy!
Tosai Sanke, approx 35cm
Tosai Kohaku, approx 35cm
Tosai Sanke approx 35cm
Tosai Go-Sanke 15-20cm approx
Tosai Sanke 15-20cm approx
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