A&C 2008 koitrip to Japan
Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Day 6 - Day 7 - Day 8
It was an early morning, but before we know it we where already at Oomo's to select some Showa. This looks somewhat quick since we where already previously. But yesterday the time was to short to select during daylight. Again we are welcomed and soon I got back on my knees to select fish. Finally I obtained a box containing mainly Showa. However also a Ginrin Kohaku of very good quality as you can see.
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| Oomo Showa Mix 1 | Oomo Ginrin Kohaku |
Hereafter and with a happy face we left for Sakai. Our welcome at Sakai is also very friendly and while I was still talking to Sakai, Wim discovered a very beautiful Asagi. When he asked for the price I got the message that the fish is already sold.
Sakai however asked us to follow him to another pond containing a small number of Asagi. When I asked him what these fish will cost I got the usual answer, all different. Thus grab a net and try to catch one. This however was not what Wim was looking for.
Just before Wim left with me to Japan, his mother laid eye on the picture of an Asagi. That is my kind of fish where somewhat here words if I well understood Wim. Thus Wim was looking for an Asagi of the absolute top quality.
So the best Asagi of Sakai was netted and I have to say, this is a fish where one normally only dreams of, but the price was at a level that almost knocked me of my feet. Additionally I need to mention that in all the years that I have travelled to Japan I never have seen a better Asagi. Simply everything is right for this fish. Also and in particular for Wim it was a "shock" when he heard the price. It did however took him just a small moment to offer a real bid and after some deliberations the result was that this fish will come to The Netherlands.
The mother of Wim must play a very special role in Wim's live. If the quality of this fish can reach to that level I can understand his choice. Congratulations Wim and allow me to say "A special fish for a special mother.
Before we continued to select some high grade Tosai in the size from 25 to 35 cm, we had a well earned cup of coffee. However these fish where only 9 month old I have to say that especially the body and the depth of the pigmentation is of outstanding quality. I may and have to say that I will receive these fish in The Netherlands with a happy feeling. Have a look at the pictures and judge the quality by yourself.
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| Sakai Kohaku 1 |
Sakai Kohaku 2 |
Sakai Sanke 1 |
Sakai Sanke 2 |
Sakai Sanke 3 |
Sakai Sanke 4 |
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| Sakai Tancho Sanke 1 |
Sakai Shiro Utsuri 1 |
Sakai Shiro Utsuri 2 |
Sakai Shiro Utsuri 3 |
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Next we left to Kaneko to select some Shiro. After a very long discussion I was finally allowed to select 5 small fish from his highest quality Tategoi.
I you look at the picture you can see what I mean. The white skin can not be better. I consider myself therefore a very lucky person that I finally could obtain the absolute top from Kaneko. If you think just like me that Shiro Utsuri must have a white skin Than this is where its all about. Also the Sumi has a very thick and deep quality. These are really Tategoi that bring the hart rate to a higher level.
Additionally we selected also some other fish. Tomorrow it is another day for which I hope that it will be as fruitful as today, more...