Koi Terminology

It's hardly surprising that most of the terms that seem confusing are in Japanese. After all, the Japanese founded the modern Koi carp as we know it.

We have listed a glossary of all terms used by the Japanese along with their meanings - so wonder no more what on earth someone is rabbiting on about when they refer to Menkaburi!

Definitions courtesy of the excellent Book Kokugyo Vol II

Agi

Agi refers to the chin and both sides of the face including the gill covers. Agi Zumi means Sumi appearing on these parts. (Courtesy of the excellent Book Kokugyo Vol II)

Aka Sanke

Red Sanke. Aka is a term meaning re. A Taisho Sanshoku with a majority of Hi and very little Shiroji. It is not a variety name but rather a description.

All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show

The biggest Koi show held by Shinkokai (All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association) in Tokyo on the fourth Saturday and Sunday of every January. It is also called Tokyo Taikai. The show is open to entries from both amateurs and professionals.

Aoji

Blue ground. Sumi that has not yet emerged to the surface of the body. It is also called Soko Zumi (Soko means 'bottom'). It is primarily seen in Shiroji and appears to be a transparent blue. It indicates unfinished Sumi.

Bongiri

Light second half. Nishikigoi that has little pattern on the second half of the body or has a very light pattern compared to the first half. The Koi would look like it was wearing only a shirt.

Bozu

Bald. Refers to the bald head of a Buddhist priest. Koi with a white head having no Hi or Sumi. Originally Koi that had even a spot of colour on the head were not referred to as Bozu. Recently all Koi with light heads are called bozu.

Bu

Length division unit at Japanese Koi shows. Many Koi uses use 5cm (2 in.) as one unit. For example 20 Bu is the class for Koi that are 15 cm (6 in.) up to 20 cm (8 in.)

Carotene

Nutrient responsible for the red colour in Koi. Nishikigoi absorb carotene as a nutrient in order to live. When the carotene stays in the fat of the body surface it appears as a red stain.

Chobu Sumi

Dark spot found on the heads of young fish that is caused by the thin transparent skin at the location. The area appears dark because you are looking through the skin at the skull.

Danmoyo

Stepped pattern. Independent Hi plates that form steps that are counted as 'first step', 'second step', 'third step' etc. The count starts from the head and proceeds towards the tail.

Doh Sumi

Trunk Sumi. It often indicates large Sumi that wraps down past the lateral line of Showa Sanshoku.

Doka Sumi

Large Sumi. Also called Oh Sumi. Large in this case references to Sumi that appears in large patches, not necessarily that the Koi is covered in Sumi.

Doroike

Mud pond. Pond dug into the mud used to grow Nishikigoi. The mud has abundant natural minerals due to the snow melt that refills the mud ponds every spring. Because of the large area of the pond Nishikigoi can exercise more.

Fukurin

Scale wrap. It is the cuticle of the skin which appears as a line drawn in a ring around a scale. Fukurin is most noticeable in Hikarimono and was originally thought to occur only in metallic varieties because it was harder to see in other varieties.

Funazoko Hi

Bottom Hi. Hi on the belly and below the lateral lines of Asagi and Shusui.

Gin Me

Silver eyes. White rimmed eyes seen in Kohaku. If the Koi has black eyes (Kuro Me) it is likely to be a Sanke or Showa.

Hachiware

Divided head. Hachi means 'head', Ware means 'dividing'. Sumi pattern that divides the head.

Hanagara Moyo

Flower pattern. Hi pattern that looks like blooming flowers. Quite beautiful.

Hasami Sumi

Sumi between the Hi plates. Term used to describe Sumi on Taisho Sanshoku. Hasami Sumi is located in narrow Shiroji areas rather than appearing in the Hi plates.

Hashiri Sumi

Sumi that is scattered in stripes (rather than Motoguro) on the pectoral fins of Showa Sanshoku. The term is also used to describe the striped Sumi on the pectoral fins of Taisho Sanshoku.

Hi Showa

Showa Sanshoku with many Hi plates and very little Shiroji. It is not a variety name but rather a description of the amount of Hi versus Shiroji.

Himo Sumi

mA shape of Sumi that is long and thin like a string (Himo) but is not necessarily straight. Usually used to describe Sumi on Showa and Taisho Sanshoku.

Hitomoji Sumi

'V' or 'Y' shaped Hachiware Sumi pattern. The shape looks like the Japanese character el (Hito).

Houki Sumi

Striped Sumi pattern seen on the pectoral fins or tail fin of Taisho Sanshoku. Also called Hashiri Zumi ('running' Sumi) or Tejima ('hand striped'). A few light stripes are desirable. Extremely strong stripes are not as favoured.

Ichimatsu

Checker board. A design that alternates from the right side to the left side. Desirable on Shiro Utsuri where the Sumi separates the Shiroji evenly.

Inazuma

Term used to describe the shape of a Hi plate. The pattern runs zigzag like lightning over the body. An Inazuma pattern is highly valued because it alternatively reveals the Shiroji.

Ippon Hi

Unbroken red. Continuous Hi pattern with no break from head to tail. The Hi pattern lacks any Kirekomi or cut-in of the Shiroji from the belly.

Iroage

Colour enhancement. Because Nishikigoi can not create the red pigments within their bodies it is necessary to feed foods with carotene to maintain the red colouration in Koi that have Hi plates.

Jinbei Sanshoku

Taisho Sanshoku (Sanke) bred by Jinbei. It is a highly respected and established lineage as is Matsunosuke.

Kage Showa

Shadowed Showa. This variety was developed from the same bloodline as Koromo Showa. It's primary feature is the Asagi-like netting pattern that appears on the white skin.

Kaku Tan

Square Hi on the head. Used only for Nishikigoi that have a Hi pattern on the body. Recently Maruten (round Hi on the head) is used instead of Kaku Tan.

Kaku Sumi

Square Sumi. Round Sumi is called Maru Zumi. Kaku Zumi appears in bloodlines such as Torazo Sanke or Jinbei Sanke.

Kamisori Giwa

Term used to describe the shape of the Kiwa at the trailing edge of the Hi plates. It means that the Kiwa is sharp and straight like a razor cut and cuts across the scales rather than following the shape of the scales. It is one of the ideal Kiwa shapes.

Kasane Sumi

Piled-up Sumi. Kasane literally means 'to pile up'. Sumi that is riding over or overlapping the Hi. Also Nose (Nose means 'to ride') Zumi.

Kata Moyo

The term is used to describe an unbalanced Hi pattern, where the center of balance seems to lean towards the left or the right. This is not used when the pattern is one sided on the first half or the second half.

Kata Sumi

Sumi on the shoulder.

Keitou

Bloodline. Generations of Nishikigoi that have been produced by a single breeder to develop specific traits that are handed down to successive generations.

Kirekomi

Cut in Shiroji which cuts into Hi plates from the belly. It is this Shiroji that forms stepped patterns, complex patterns and Inazuma patterns.

Kokesuki

Refers to a scale in a Hi plate or Sumi patch. This term describes scales that are not saturated with colour so that the background shows through. The scale appears thinner than the surrounding area and looks transparent.

Kokugyo

Title given to Koi that won Best in Size at the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show.

Kubiwa Sumi

Sumi that goes around the neck connecting one gill area to the other. The term described the shape of certain Sumi that occurs in the Utsurimono family (including Showa Sanshoku and all Utsuri).

Kuchi Sumi

Sumi around the mouth seen in Utsurimono such as Showa. It is rare but Taisho Sanshoku could have Kuchi Sumi.

Kuchibeni

Lipstick. Hi on the lips. Because it looks like lipstick it can be very charming. It is however strongly suggested that you do not compare a Koi, even a beautiful one with Kuchibeni, with the appeal of a girlfriend or wife...

Kuragake

Saddle. term used to describe a pattern that crosses over the backbone and covers both sides of the body in the shape of a horse's saddle. It is one of the most stable patterns. It is usually used to describe a Hi pattern but it could also describe a Sumi

Kuro Me

Black eyes. Black rimmed eyes are seen in Sanke and Showa. If the eyes have a white rim (Gin Me or silver eye) it is usually a Kohaku.

Kuroboshi

A relatively large black spot. In Showa this is the beginning of the Sumi development. This spot has emerged. It is more coalesced than Kage Zumi (shadow over an area).

Kuroko

Black fry. Only Kuroko will be selected in culling Kumonryo and Utsurimono like Showa.

Kutsubera

Shoehorn. Used to describe the shape of Hi on the head. The pattern consists of a round area of Hi on the mouth and a trapezoid of Hi on the forehead. A typical Hi pattern on the head; Maruten is another typical Hi pattern on the head.

Mado

Window. Small Shiroji areas occurring either in Hi plates or Sumi patched that look like windows. This Shiroji in Hi plates is also called Madoaki....

Makiagari

Used to describe Sumi of the Utsurimono family such as Showa Sanshoku and Shiro Utsuri. The Sumi of the Utsurimono family rises to wrap the body from the belly to the back along the trunk and thus is the term used only with Sumi for these varieties of Koi

Maruten

Round Hi pattern on the head of a Koi. When a Koi has only one Hi plate, and it is a round Hi plate on the head, the Koi is called a Tancho. When a Koi has multiple Hi plates including one round Hi plate on the head, it is referred to as Maruten.

Maruzome

Round Kiwa. Kiwa that follows the scallop-shape of the scales. Also called Tama Giwa. One of the two primary Kiwa shapes. Often seen in Kohaku of the Dainichi bloodline. It is highly prized because it resembles the shape of a cherry blossom petal.

Medaira

Refers to an imaginary line that runs between the eyes. It is the ideal pattern entry for the head. When a pattern begins above this line, the pattern is considered light.

Mekazura

Rim of the eyes. Skin and muscle that surrounds the eyes including the eye lids. When there is Hi around the eyes we say 'it disgraces Mekazura'. If the Mekazura is white on a Menkaburi pattern it is still most likely a high quality Koi ...

Mekiki

Koi expert. An experienced and well trained person that can accurately judge not only the present value but also the future value of a Koi. Get your better half to refer to you as Mekiki when addressing you in company.

Mena Kana

Mena means female and Kana means male. Aren't you pleased you learned that?

Menasa

Shallow or light entry of the pattern on the head. A koi with Menasa has wide Shiroji on its head because the pattern begins further back rather than the ideal pattern entry of a curved line between the eyes. We would say that 'this Koi's head is Menasa'.

Menshiro

White face. Indicates that both gill covers are white. Clean face that has no Hi on the gill covers. It is particularly important in the Kohaku variety, but it is not an absolute necessity.

Menware

Describes a Sumi pattern seen only in Showa Sanshoku or Shiro Utsuri that divides the head. An ideal Menware (also called Hachiware) runs in an Inazuma pattern from the mouth to the shoulder and gives the Koi an impression of power.

Motoaka

Hi at the base of pectoral fins. Small Hi that is gathered together at the spot where the fin meets the body shows the quality of the Koi's Hi and is a feature of some varieties and patterns. The rest of the pectoral fins must be white ...

Motoguru

Sumi at the base of pectoral fins. Seen primarily in Showa and Shiro Utsuri. It could mean Sumi in the tail fin but the term is rarely used for that. Small Sumi gathered together at the spot where the fins meet the body shows the quality of the Koi

Mudagoke

Wasteful scales. Irregular scales on a Doitsu Koi. The straight scale lines starting from the shoulder and running along both sides of the dorsal fin are the highlight of a Doitsu Koi's beauty.

Mukashi Showa

Old type Showa. Opposite of Kindai (new) Showa that have much Shiroji. The older traditional Showa Sanshoku had mostly Hi and Sumi and are now called Mukashi Showa and sometimes Hi Showa. It is not a variety name but rather a description.

Nabe Sumi

Poor Sumi. Opposite of Urushi Zumi. Sumi that is rubbish. Sumi that is no good. Sumi that belongs outside of the gene pool.

Niban Hi

This is secondary Hi and occurs later in a Koi's development. It is most often seen in the Kiwa. It makes an excellent Nishikigoi pattern appear vague and takes away the brilliance of the contrast between the Hi and Shiroji. Koi with Niban Hi rarely recov

Niigata Nogoyosai

Niigata agriculture festival where the Niigata Nishikigoi show is held. Only breeders in Niigata compete at this show. The Koi show is held in Ojiya city on the last weekend of each October.

Nimai Sashi

Sashi that is two scales wide. Ni means 'two'. Undesirable as perfect Sashi should be exactly one scale wide. Sanman sashi is 3 scales wide.

Nose Sumi

Riding Sumi. Sumi that appears on Hi plates. Also called Kasane Sumi.

Obachi

Tail section. A specific term for Ozutsu. It specifies the top section of the Ozutsu not the sides or the bottom. The tail section is a very important part for Koi and thus there are many special terms.

Obi Sumi

Shape of Sumi that is thin, long and square like an Obi (belt). Several Sumi patches usually connect to create the pattern. Used mainly to describe the Sumi in Taisho Sanshoku. Pattern must cross the backbone and look like an Obi. Would be perpendicular t

Odome

Line between the last colour and Shiroji in the tail section. Odome is the way the pattern appears as it stops or finishes in the tail section ...

Oh Sumi

Relatively large Sumi on the body. Also called Doka Zumi. We put this one in just to test you.

Oyabone

The thickest bone of the pectoral fin, dorsal fin and tail fin. The bone of each fin that is closest to the head. Ideally it should be white. When it has some colour we say that the 'Oyabone is disgraced'.

Ozuke Hi

Hi at the very base of the tail fin. Not desirable. Not even a little bit.

Ozutsu

Tail section. This term is used for the part of the body located from the end of the dorsal fin to the root of the tail. It is an important section because it contains the Odome ...

Rin Oh Prize

Prize given to the Koi that wins best in size at the ZNA All Japan Nishikigoi Show. The same award at the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show is called the Kokugyo prize.

Saiseirin

Reappearing the scale. Scale that returns after having been lost in an accident or injury. Saiseirin could be good or bad, depending if the scale grew back to be the original colour.

Sakame Asagi

Reverse Asagi. Koi that has white cores in the scales and indigo netting which is the exact opposite of the scale pattern on a Narumi Asagi.

Sankaku Hi

A triangular Hi plate. Used especially to describe Hi on the tail section.

Sarasa

Old name for Kohaku. Still used once in a while. Drop in into conversation when you're feeling pretentious and see how many people pick it up.

Sashi

Short for Sashikomi. Term that refers to the blurry line between the front of a Hi plate or Sumi and the Shiroji. The blurry pinkish colour is caused by the end of the Shiroji scale overlapping the beginning of the Hi scale ...

Sashi Sumi

Short for Sashkomi. Sashi is not only seen in Hi but also in Sumi. Term that refers to the often blurry line between the front of Sumi and the Shiroji. A blurry bluish colour is caused by the end of the Shiroji scale overlapping the beginning of the Sumi

Seigyo

Mature Koi. Nishikigoi more then 6 years old. At Koi shows, Nishikigoi are entered into a class only by size and not by age.

Seware

Dividing the back. A Hi pattern that has most of the Hi with wide Shiroji on the back. A Hi pattern that looks as if it were dividing the Koi's back.

Shemegai

Stunt the growth. The process of keeping Koi small by stunting their growth. Shimegai can be accomplished by feeding them a very small amount of food and keeping them in limited space so the pheromones that limit their growth are present.

Shiagari

Finish. Koi become more beautiful or less beautiful as time goes by. If a Koi finishes well and is beautiful we say it has good Shiagari. If a Koi does not finish well then we say it has poor Shiagari.

Shibun

A very tiny weak point. Insignificant. Trivial. Meaningless. Used by customers to try and negotiate a 50% discount on a Koi. An exercise in futility.

Shinsui

Fresh water. We could say 'the pond needs Shinsui'. You should add 10% of Shinsui to your pond every week.

Shirobou

White Nishikigoi. Many white patterns are culled. However a Koi could become white when it was 2-3 years old. Also called Shiro Muji.

Shita Sumi

Sumi beneath. Sumi that appears to be hiding below the surface of the Shiroji. Sumi that is barely visible under the surface at the scales. Shita Sumi could emerge or disappear.

Shusui

Doitsu (scaleless) Asagi. Variety created from the breeding of Doitsu black Koi with Asagi. Kichigori Akiyama in Tokyo first succeeded breeding the Doitsu version of Asagi in 1910.

Sumi Giwa

Black border. Border line between the black pattern and the other colours.

Sumi Mono

Sumi class. General name for Nishikigoi that have Sumi such as Taisho Sanshoku, Showa, Kumonryo etc.

Susu Sumi

Soot Sumi. Low quality Sumi that is like soot which is simply black without lustre. Also called Nabe Sumi. The opposite term is Urushi Sumi.

Taiko

Height. The height of a Koi from the top of the back to the bottom of the belly. Measurement of the widest part. It is said that Koi that have a big Taiko have the potential to grow very large. Of course it is important to consider all of the factors.

Taisho Sanshoku

Proper name of the variety usually called Sanke. Sanshoku means three colours. While breeding Kohaku, Koi with black pigments suddenly appeared ...

Tasukigake

Literally a cord that runs diagonally across the back to hold up the sleeves of a Kimono. Describes a pattern that crosses the back diagonally. It is not called Tasukigake when the pattern crosses the back in a straight line (but it may then be Obi Zumi).