Hello everyone,

It has been a while since I purchased a koi, 10 years now. I'm searching the market because 2 years ago my 23 year old Shiro Utsuri female passed away. (My parent's bought her a week after I was born). A feral animal bit a chunk out of her and we found her floating the next morning. She was big but had a very ugly pattern. We loved her anyways.

But I wanted to add a Shiro Utsuri to our pond. I've watched Ebay and checked websites for a nice one, but none really interested me or those that did I was outbid in the last second.

Kodama koi sent me an email with a picture of this 16 inch male wondering if I was interested. I know an even pattern with a V shape on the face is a bonus, but I wondered about the yellowish head. My old female had a white face with yellow cheeks.

Do you think this koi is worth purchasing or should I keep looking?





_______________________________________
Rebecca Stevenson
Miami, FL
Upcoming Koi Breeder - Utsurimono and Showa specialization
5,000 Gallon Pond
Well water - Constant exchange
6 prized koi:
30 inch Kigoi (Breeding female)
28 inch Hi Utsuri
25 inch Hi Bekko
20 inch Showa
28 inch Showa
8 inch Black telescope Goldfish (1st place in Telescope category)

Hi Recca,

This is a very nice shiro, the pattern is well balanced and he has a very pleasant face pattern.

The shiroji is a nice, soft snow white, I also like the positioning of the sumi. All in all I think it is a very nice fish.

To answer you question regarding worth the purchase, well that is difficult to say....if the price is right and does not hurt your pocket then go for it.

Cheers

looks good to me, the sumi needs to intense still.

Looks good to me, don't worry about the yellow head. Bit of carp pox or Papilloma, left pec on leading ray might put me off.

Ah, I should have known. Was waiting to hear back about the price. Expected about $200-300 range. But when browsing the site I noticed the link about the 2010 harvest where they showed examples of their best. That Shiro Utsuri that was sent to me was on that list, it has been priced at $1000.

I'm currently watching this auction. Its a bit much for a 13" fish, but I like the striking colors. http://cgi.ebay.com/13-Shiro-Utsuri-Live-Koi-Fish-Kodama-Koi-/270674547063?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0575d177

The kodama Shiro looks good, excellent pattern,
The quality of the sumi could improveCould be growth stretching the sumi?
I have attached a shiro that is in the country fe-male 41cm breeder Sakuma
Regards

James

James Norrie (Pongoi koi) wrote:

The kodama Shiro looks good, excellent pattern,
The quality of the sumi could improveCould be growth stretching the sumi?
I have attached a shiro that is in the country fe-male 41cm breeder Sakuma
Regards

James

I've seen two full grown Shiro Utsuri's in person. The breeder showed me a picture of them when they were small. One had a perfect sumo pattern at 14 inches, evenly spaced. But when it reached full size the black stayed the same size and the white grew, making it fish appear more plain.
The second one was almost all black with an uneven pattern. At full size the pattern evened out and was amazing, with crossing black.

I want a shiro utsuri to have a good quanitiy of black when it reaches max. This video is something close to what I want (but I'm not expecting anything that perfect.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPCXNIubROg&feature=share

Photo by James now attached above.

Hi,

The photo by James is that of a GinRin Shiro Utsurimono!!

Hi Pieter,

Yes it is, right now i cant remember the specific syle of Gin Rin.

She is 42cm, purchased from Sakuma brothers on my recent tri[p to Japan in May 2010 along with others as Jumbo Tosai.

All are over 40cm

Regards

james