January started fairly quietly on the Society front, with our committees turning their attention to 2025’s National Koi Show, and one or two other cross committee actions that need to be completed ASAP.
The All Japan Koi Show takes place in Tokyo at the end of the month, and I made the trip again this year, alongside World Of Nishikigoi magazine.
I’m sure most of you will have seen the Grand Champion fish, or as some like to say, the World Champion... A Showa Sanshoku from Dainichi Koi Farm, measuring 100cm, and from Super Monster parents; 'monster' being rather apt.
Thanks as always to Liam for his superb images, why not check out World of Nishikigoi.
After Tokyo we travelled on to Hiroshima Prefecture for a further few days, meeting Mike from Yume Koi Japan, and visiting Momotaro Omosako and Tamaura, tagging on a great day in Onomichi.
We then headed back up to Nagoya on the Shinkansen, hiring a car(s) and catching up with Ryuki Narita from Narita Koi Farm, enjoying lunch, then seeing some of the farm's fish that will be heading to the All Japan Young Koi Show at the end of March - there’s no keeping a good Journalist down!
We headed over to Kondo Koi Farm to look at a fish I purchased last year, and cover the Azukari charges for this year. It looks like this fish (Goshiki) may also be heading to the All Japan Young Show, so I’ll keep you updated with any news.
We them took the scenic route over to Yamanashi Prefecture encompassing Lake Kawaguchiko and Mount Fuji, more specifically Kofu City and Fuji Yoshida, and Yamanashi, visiting Isawa Nishikigoi Company (INC) in the process. This was a wonderful few days, mostly spent drinking coffee, chatting to locals, and admiring views and shrines along the way - Japan is a truly breathtaking county, with so much more to see aside from Nishikigoi.
Our time was running out, and the inevitable conversation of ‘should we extend the trip’ came around; the answer was made for us given various northern prefectures in Japan are currently (Feb 3rd-5th) gripped by record snowfall including Nagaoka/Niigata Prefecture; I understand in some areas of Hokkaido, a doubling of previous records is begin seen (over 100cm in 12 hours).
We travelled back up to Tokyo looking at the ‘threat to life’ snow warnings and thinking about home; Tokyo, in fact Japan, is a magical place, with something for everyone, you just have to find it.
Until next month, enjoy the hobby.
Rob.
Feel free to get in touch via chairman@bkks.co.uk
