A&C 2009 koitrip to Japan
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Part 2 -
Part 3 -
Part 4 -
Part 5 -
Part 6 -
Part 7 -
Part 8
Today we have again great weather. We have plenty of sun and the temperature today could raise to about 20 degrees, thus nothing complain about. A beautiful day to find something nice and probably something for the next challenge also. Therefore, we arrived at Dainishi at half past eight.
We had an appointment so we were awaited, and a moment later we walked along the Koi tanks for a first impression.
Dainishi told us that we could select from three tanks. After a short inspection it was already clear to us which tank this should be.
The prices of the Koi in the other tanks were somewhat cheaper but the quality was also significantly less. Because we are here for the highest quality the choice was quickly made. Next the pond was netted and we were able to start our selection.
We selected here a total of some 40 fish of which 15 were returned by me after the second selection because they did not fully satisfy my requirements. The remaining 25 are of a very high quality which was also confirmed by the master himself.
For me there was a clear number 1 in the bowl and I therefore asked Dainishi which one he liked best. He told me that it is very difficult to point out the best in this bowl. He indicated that at least five Koi are of similar high quality, and only minor features could make the difference.
I than pointed out my number 1 and also said why it. No loose Kage or deployed Sumi. Deep pigments and phantastic Shiroi makes this Showa the clear winner for me. Also Dainishi seemed of the same opinion, and the fish was bowled separately for a photo.
Now it is true that have to make the first selection for almost all breeders and then the price is set. Because now we already have an agreed price Dainishi remained to it. So once again lucky that the breeder remained to his and was not renegotiating the price. This is namely in many cases the normal why of business. I was therefore pleased with the purchases and thanked him very warmly for this.
I think it is, slowly but surely, known that I almost never negotiate about the prices set by the breeder. Also not subsequently. Only if I really think the price is clearly too high, I ask why. On the basis of the explanation, I usually decide what I think the fish are worth and come with a counter bid. But that happens very rarely. It this can clearly be noticed now that the breeders are aware of this and therefore come with fair prices.
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| Dainishi Bowl 1 | Dainishi Bowl 2 |
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| Dainishi Bowl 3 | Dainishi Bowl 4 |
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| Dainishi Bowl 5 | Dainishi Bowl 6 |
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I was not yet finished at Dainishi's because I wanted to look at his Tosai Tategoi and if possible to select it some. Now, the second advantage that I have build up during the many years of my visits to Japan popped up. Namely that the breeders know that I not only want to watch, but am also willing to pay7 the price of such high quality fish. So is more easy for the breeders to say okay but the day after tomorrow or another day in the week. This is because the fish are fed and they will not be scooped. At least the expensive fish will not. So this time we made an appointment for Monday morning. We then go to his old Koi house where also the old residential house was. This house could not be rescued after the earthquake and had to be almost entirely rebuilt. The Koi houses are back in operation after the repairs. Here remain only the top fish and of course the Tosai Tategoi. I am curious about what we are going to find here. |
| Dainishi Showa |
Dainishi Tancho Kohaku |
Next we got on the road again to travel to the following breeder on our list, because time passes by quickly when one has to select fish for the challenges as well as fish for my own business. That's of course the main reason why we are here.
Thus we went to Marudoh's. I am always pleased to visit this friendly breeder who is always helpful together with his daughter. This is one of the most beautiful and cleanest Koi houses in Japan and that can clearly be seen.
Now I knew that Marudoh is building up, during several years, a very beautiful and strong Sanke line. I believe that this Sanke line will stir up our Koi world. Very deep red fish with a very high quality skin. Also the gloss of these fish is quite unique.
After a short discussion and explanation about the Koi challenge Marudoh expressed his full cooperation. So he got in his wading suit and climbed in the pond. The fish were netted together and I could start with the selection. After a short hour there was a number of fish in the bowl. These were more than we needed for the Challenge.
Thus is was important now to appoint the five best fish in this bowl for the challenge. This is also captured well on video. It is also nice to hear what the breeder had to say about the fish and the comments given. This is something that we did for all challenges. First the breeder tells something about the fish that is in his first place and then you get my comment. I certainly not always agree with the view of the breeder and I try to explain why I consider another fish to be better. So also for this is a challenge.
Sanke Challenge
The next step was to ask Marudoh whether he wanted to do
the same for the Showa Challenge.
He just laughed and said something to his daughter what I could not
understand. A few minutes later he asked me form what pond I would to
select. When I then went back to another section in his Koi house and
pointed out the first basin, a very familiar sound was directed towards
me. I only give a little sheepishly smile back and further I only could
hope.
After a short discussion with his daughter he sounded his famous hmmm-sound once more, and I could clearly see that he was in doubt for this Challenge. So I decided to make another proposal. I knew that this basin contained some very high quality Tategoi which I already knew he would not sell these for the agreed price. So my suggestion was that if I would scoop these he had the right to put them back.
When I suggested this I got the answer that the other fish also where not in the agreed price range. For me however the hmmm sound a sign not to push further and I can only hope that the breeder start thinking together with me. Again I made clear that these fish will be closely followed for two years and that his photo and examination will be given in the upcoming articles pulled him finally over this threshold. Thus the trawling net appeared once more and Marudoh stepped in the basin while almost overflowing his wading suit.
After this it was our turn again, and although I occasionally hoped that he oversaw some of the Tategoi he clearly did not do so. But one thing is for sure I would do the same if a netted fish was 300,000 yen and that they would had to go for 30,000 yen. I was already happy that he allowed to select from this basin for the specified budget. I have to say that all breeders have greatly anticipated, but let's be honest Marudoh stretched the crown.
At the end I selected more fish from this pond as were needed for the challenge and I hoped that he would agree. Next, the five best were selected and the evaluation was captured on paper finally I expressed many thanks and sincere bends for his great co-operation. The Showa Challenge, this is another to be framed. To my luck and my advantage a obtained the additional fish for the same price. So I would say enjoy this picture below and of to last Challenge.
Showa Challenge
Finally we entered his other Koi house to have also a look at some larger fish.
There was a fish there that had everything to do with the last
Challenge.
Namely, a fire red Kujaku (70 cm) that also will come to Grubbenvorst.
The high quality of this fish can almost be seen with your eyes closed, more...