What we need to learn here is that the brothers set a clear goal to develop large koi. They did not simply buy parents to breed beautiful koi. Mr. Koji Sakai and Mr. Yoshimichi Sakai of the Hiroshima Sakai Koi Farm, won Grand Champion at the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi show in 2000 and 200l and at the ZNA All Japan Nishikigoi show in the fall of 2001 as well. These results gave them a reputation as top breeders in Japan. Their goal was “to breed koi with dignified appearance.” What Mr Sakai of Matunosuke and Mr. Sakai of Hiroshima have in common is that they set goals with determination. In addition, they both considered body conformation the top priority as we see from their goals: “breed large koi” (Matsunosuke) and “breed koi with dignified appearance.” It is said that the beauty of Nishikigoi depends on first the body conformation, second the quality and third, the pattern. Nobody objects to this standard. In fact, many breeders emphasize pattern in their breeding.
It is not too much to say the history of Nishikigoi is a history of criss-crossing. Various characters of the ancestors can exist in one koi. When thinking too much of pattern, breeders will often look for parents that have good pattern and fail to consider the existence of the complex characters inside the koi. It is very important to consider the true nature when looking for parents. Nishikigoi breeders must set a firm goal and pursue it with passion in achieving it for at least 20 years.
In the picture above right you can see Yamakoshi village in Niigata where Yamamatsu Koi Farm is located. Deep in the mountains it snows at least 2 to 3 meters (7 to 10 ft) in winter. The famous Toshiyuki Sakai is working on breeding of Nishikigoi. In winter everything is covered with snow. From spring to autumn the air is clear. It has very beautiful scenery. It is in this wonderful environment that he breeds his beautiful Nishikigoi. Yamamatsu Koi Farm has 40 mud ponds in various sizes covering about 8.75 acres.

A. This is Grand Champion at the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show in 1994. Her nickname is “Himiko.” Many readers know her well. This is a good example of Mr. Sakai’s work. This Koi was chosen as Grand Champion out of 4,503 entries. This is a great achievement.	B. This koi won Grand Champion out of 4,002 entries at the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show in 1995. Matsunosuke won Grand Champion 2 years in a row. This achievement made Matsunosuke recognised as a top quality koi.	C. In 1997, Matsunosuke won Grand Champion with this Kohaku. This proved that not only his Sanke but also his Kohaku are a top quality in Japan. His Kohaku is characterised with the outstanding shiroji (white ground).

It has been reported that enterprises in China take the challenge of breeding Nishikigoi in huge areas, such as 50 to 75 acres. But large areas and ponds make little sense in breeding because breeding Nishikigoi is creating “beauty.” It is a job to cull out tremendous numbers of fry. Breeders cull koi more than three times (almost every month) until koi grow to about 6 inches (15cm). For this kind of job, a small pond is more convenient. They should put more stress on “technicians” than huge ponds, labourers and wonderful facilities.
In the koi world, there is no school that teaches these things. Young potential breeders spend about three to five years with a breeder to learn everything they can. Because Niigata is still the origin of beautiful Nishikigoi, there are many who study the culling skills there.
After they learn good breeding skills, they continue in pursuit of their goals for 20 to 30 years. Without the knowledge and the life commitment they cannot breed the beautiful koi. Mr. Toshiyuki Sakai represents those who have committed their lives to this.

Mr. Toshiyuki watches over 500 2-year-old koi just pulled out of a mud pond in the fall.

Every year, his excellent breeder fish produce about 1,000,000 fry. He keeps only the top 5,000 tosai (one year old, about 6″). Around May, he selects 500 out of the 5,000 to release in the mud ponds. He harvests them in autumn and by now they have grown to about 16 to 20 inches. He keeps 50 out of the 500 to raise one more year and sells the rest. In other words, only 5,000 of the famous Matsunosuke is available each year. This is a very limited brand. If you are fortunate enough to own one, please recognise its value and give it good care.