A&C 2009 koitrip to Japan
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Part 2 -
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Part 8
Today we got up early to hit the road for our first visit to Kataoke. Last year he was one of the last, but now he is the first in a row. As always he was already waiting for us and we where welcomed with the well known Japanese hospitality.
Last year I was already impressed by his Koi and especially the Showa and Sanke had my attention. This year I was eager to obtain some of his living jewels. With respect to quality I was not disappointed and in my thought I was already filling some bowls. A disappointed however was that the fish where just fed and Kataoke did not expect that we where interested in the fish which he would like to keep for further growth. It took therefore a longer time before we could make a new appointment for next week Monday to enable us the select fish for the basins.
In the meantime I discovered a number of larger fish in a different basin. The water here was somewhat darker and therefore it was difficult to have a better look at the fish. However, we managed to bowl some fish that caught our attention. Some Sanke, Kohaku and Showa of very high quality and prices were discussed. A light Asagi having a good body shape caught my special attention, see the picture for the quality and class. Watch and enjoy some fish from "the best" what Kataoke has to offer. These fish can only be obtained after many years of experience and dedication.
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| Kataoke Asagi 1 |
Kataoke Kohaku 1 |
Kataoke Sanke 1 |
Kataoke Sanke 2 |
Kataoke Showa 1 |
Next
we where invited to have a look at his breeding fish.
Of course I have not wasted this opportunity and I am grateful to the
invitation too.
It is just a short ride to the other Koi house where the parents fish reside, but I could not fast enough for me. Once we were looking at his parents fish I could understand what and how much work this young breeder invested. His knowledge and the strength of his parents fish ensure the success for which I think the start just have been made.
He already has grown incredibly beautiful fish, but I think we will hear much of him in this large but also small and Koi and Koi breeders world.
After several hours talking about breeding, bloodlines and future plans that we both try to achieve, the time past by quickly and the afternoon was already broken. Around half past one we had a warm farewell address and we went off for our next appointment. 10 to 15 minutes later we were at Choguro doorstep.
Also here we needed to make a new appointment because his high quality fish were also just fed.
If you think Choguro only grows Platinums is wrong. However, he is especially known for this, but also many other varieties can be found here. Since we also need to make a new appointment I leave open which fish we are going to select.
But we would also like to obtain for some high graded two year old Platinum Ogons. We selected five of these for our Grubbenvorst shop and five for Leo's new Koi business.
After people think Platinum is Platinum. But have a look at the picture beside to see that there are large differences.
Later we will return for smaller size fish in several varieties and of course the promised 10 very high quality small Platinums.
The day was already far advanced and there was little time to even visit a new breeder.
So we decided to call Hirasawa to move our appointment. But he did not like to move the appointment and therefore we went to his Koi house.
Normally the "NO" word is used by Hirasawa during the selection of Tosai. But in the past years we had succeeded many times to select some fish, because especially for me he brings some high quality of his Tosai to his Koi house.
Therefore we agreed that we can come back on Wednesday.
After drinking a cup of coffee and just before we would like to go Leo and I bowled some beautiful large Koi from which the most left Sanke will come to Grubbenvorst, the rest is for Leo.
Next Hirasawa shows us proudly a Ginrin Shiro Utsuri of an extraordinary quality. I have seen many fish in my Koi live, but to be honest I never have seen a Ginrin Shiro Utsuri of this quality. To be honest I will be pleased when I ever can see an equal fish. This is just a fish without mistakes and having a skin quality that can not be shown in a picture. Therefore I thought that he did show me one of his breeding fish. But to my surprise he asked me my thoughts about this fish and if I was interested. Gently, I asked the price and I'm a used to high prices and therefore expected a price that would make me think and dream. But the price he indicated was very interesting. It was lower than I had expected, but still something that made me swallow three times. Si in this case a discussion at home will really have to go in advance. The pictures are far from good, but enjoy with me the finest Shiro Utsuri I have ever seen. |
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| Hirasawa Ginrin Shiro Utsuri (1a) |
Hirasawa Ginrin Shiro Utsuri (1b) |
Tomorrow morning Seki Guchi is the first on our appointment list and if we can manage we also will see Yoshinori or Kase, so I would say until tomorrow. Since it is now one o'clock in the night I will rest my ears on a pillow and have a good sleep, more...