Japanese Koi Varieties

The many beautiful koi varieties we are enjoy today are the result of many generations of careful breeding by the koi farmers of Japan. While colored carp had been known for hundreds of years in China and Japan, widespread ownership in Japan in the 1800's provided the incentive for refinement of existing varieties or color pattern and development of new colors and patterns. Most of our present day varieties are descended from those early lines. The exceptions are metallic koi, which have an infusion of Ogon, a much later development. Ogons were first shown in 1946 after being refined from wild carp which had shown a high percentage of metallic scales.

The Japanese recognize thirteen basic varieties with several forms and patterns in each of these varieties.

Kohaku
A white base koi with a red pattern. The red is called Hi.

Taisho Sanke (usually called Sanke in the U.S.)
White koi with a red pattern overlaid with a black pattern. The black is called Sumi.

Showa Sanshoku (or just Showa)
Black koi with red and white patterns.

Utsuri mono
Black koi with white,red, or gold pattern.

Bekko
The Bekko has a simple stepping stone pattern of sumi (black) running down it's back set against a red, white or yellow background.

Asagi and Shusui
Asagi are blue reticulated upper with orange or red along the lower side the length of the body. Shusui are a scale less version descended from Asagi.

Koromo
A combination of Kohaku and Asagi. A bluish reticulated pattern over a Kohaku pattern.

Special Breeds

Doitsu
Doitsu have either no scales at all and referred to as "leather carp", or they have a line of large scales along their lateral and dorsal lines and are referred to a "mirror carp".

Tancho
Koi with a single red patch on the head. Common are Tancho Kohaku, Tancho Sanke and Tancho Showa.

Kinginrin
Koi with metallic flake or "diamond scale" effect where the scales themselves reflect light like tiny silver and gold mirrors. This type of scale occurs in nearly every variety.
  Koi with silver sparkling scales are Ginrin.
  Koi with golden sparkling scales are Kinrin.
  Koi with both are Kinginrin.

Young Kinginrin Showa