Hi guys please let me know if this Showa has potential think it is about 17months old

Hi Shawn

You should actually mention the bloodline, being a Matsunosuke bloodline Showa bred by Toshio Sakai. It has different traits and develop very slow into fine specimens, over of period of three years plus, whereas other bloodlines develop much faster.

What you normally look for in a showa as youngster, does not always apply for some bloodline, especially Matsunosuke bloodline Showas.

See the various discussions on the International forums on this bloodline, for instance http://www.koi-bito.com/forum/main-forum/9803-lets-talk-about-matsunosuke.html

By Aquitori (Tony) a very well know koi expert:

Toshio Sakai is probably one of the top breeders in Japan, what sets him apart from the rest is his development of the "NEW" Matsunosuke bloodline he created with his brother.

I think it is easy to pick a fish that has the Matsunosuke trait, but even harder to pick ones that have the Magoi bloodline.

If a batch of Matsunosuke Showa and Sanke Tosai are bowled, what will you look for?

You have to look for:
1. The best tosai that shows the the Matsunosuke bodyline trait, which is usually long and skinny.

2. The fine translucent skin quality

3. The sumi shouldnt be too finish but show the quality of the bloodline.





The most important "asset" of this bloodline is it's bodyshape when older and it's growth rate, and stability of Sumi and Hi.

In view of the bloodline, what is your opinion on Shawn's choice?

wow cant balive there have been over 40 people look at this pic but only Paul has taken the time to say somthing, maybe people are sceared to comment because my user name is angryant, im only an ant harmless please people dont mind good or bad this showa is my time investmint im going to keep it no mater what anyone says will be taking pics every 6 months and folow it from here to when it wins the western cape koi show in 4 years time, so watch this space every 6 months.

this is what someone commented on one of the othere forums what are they saying exactly,

ie. beni, motoguro, odome,

For someone who's new to the hobby, you're off to a fine start with that showa. Obviously it's a little small for the age, but likely hasn't been kept in an environment to grow much. Now that's your job. The photo lacks quite a bit, but from what I can see there is a really nice beni pattern on that fish and the sumi looks bold and strong. Typical long skinny look to that bloodline, we can hope the girth comes down the road. (I have a Matsunosuke sanke with a similar body that's just starting to fill out) The motoguro is just peaking out and appears nice and balanced. Couple of concerns would be the lack of an odome, and while even in tone from front to back the beni looks as though the koi has just undergone a decent growth spurt, yet at 31cm this seems unlikely...

Hi,

I don’t like the head pattern, I prefer that al three colors ( Hi, Sumi and Shiroji) to be present on the head.
Odome (tail stop) is not that essential to Showa, however the pattern markings should have “sharp” edges ( Shashi & Kiwa)
I think the Hi and the Shiroji ( red & white ) could be better, although the Sumi (black) has still to come.