A&C 2008 koitrip to Japan
Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3 - Day 4 - Day 5 - Day 6 - Day 7 - Day 8
After having a good breakfast and lots of coffee we again hit the rod, this time for Ishihara. Due to our arrangements we have high expectations and indeed the quality of the fish that we see here is outstanding.
Since Ishira has netted two ponds, one of which containing high quality fish and the other Tategoi it took somewhat longer than expected before I could start to make my selection. Usually I claim as much time as possible for the selection and inspection until I am satisfied to have seen everything. Just then I look in the bowl containing the selected fish.
Some with minor damages, caused by the netting, were put back and we selected approx. 50 satisfying fish before we went to the next container. Once arrived I could not get my mouth shut anymore I was amazed by the quality and I can say that this is my best purchase with regard to quality and price. Skin quality and shape is always a difficult combination, but here and now I have the feeling that I was very successful.
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| Ishihara Kumonryu 1 |
Ishihara Kohaku 2 |
Ishihara Kohaku 3 |
Ishihara Kohaku 4 |
Ishihara Kohaku 5 |
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| Ishihara Tancho Showa 6 |
Ishihara Sanke 8 |
Ishihara Shiro Utsuri 9 |
Ishihara Sanke 10 |
Ishihara Showa 11 |
Next and having a very good feeling about the last hours we left for Kataoke. Kataoke has one of the best treated Koi houses in Japan. Everything is clean to the last detail and this is also noticeable for his fish. As always the bidding games start all over again until the moment that the breeder says yet and a net is drawn through the Tategoi container. Because Kataoke has not much time to spend at this moment we have to wait an hour or so before a could start my selection.
Because the prices are not yet set, I did not known in advance what the final amount of money would be, it is always a gamble and I hope that the end price is something within my reach. It is not funny to release a selected box of fish back into the pond because you have to swallow at least 10 times because of the prices.
The direct contact with a breeder and negotiate a good price is not an easy undertaking. That the resulting costs again are one of the higher ones can easily price be seen if you have a look at the quality of the fish. The price however as fair and therefore the fish will come to the Netherlands. Just real top quality Tategoi for whom would like to have the top in the smaller fish.
Following the selection I always have a conversation with the breeder and we discuss each fish individually an several small and specific details. This where we can learn the most. The only pity is that this is always to short and we have to leave for our next contact. I hope that you all can enjoy these fish as I do. It was a very good day of which the result fish are shown below.
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| Kataoke Showa 13 |
Kataoke Doitsu Sanke 14 |
Kataoke Ai Goromo 15 |
Kataoke Sanke 16 |
Kataoke Showa 17 |
Kataoke Doitsu Kohaku 18 |
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| Kataoke Sanke 19 |
Kataoke Asagi 20 |
Kataoke Hi Showa 21 |