The history of koi, or Nishikigoi, as they are formally referred to in Japan isn't written in stone. Actually, it wasn't written anywhere! When the rice farmers of Niigata Prefecture first began breeding these fish, all the information about them was passed down from father to son.
The farmers in Niigata started raising magoi (carp) to supplement their winter diet. They raised these carp in the ponds they used to flood their rice paddies. About 200 years ago one of the farmers noticed a carp with some red color. Some of the farmers started separating the fish that had different coloration, and breeding them together. Anyone with knowledge of animal husbandry knows how that goes; one thing leads to another.
The interest in this pastime grew and more color variations were developed. It wasn't until 1914 that some of the most beautiful varieties were shown at an exposition in Tokyo. Some of these colored carp were presented to Crown Prince Hirohito. This is where it really got started. During my extensive research of koi, I've read that Nishikigoi first became popular in the United States when introduced to California during the mid 1960s.
Koi keeping was basically restricted to Japan until the invention of the plastic bag made it possible to safely ship the fish to other parts of the world. Today, koi are kept all over the world and have become big business. Common types of koi are sold in almost every pet shop and more valuable, higher quality fish are bred by specialist breeders. The quality and value of a koi is based on it coloration, pattern, and scalation. Today there are 14 classes and hundreds of varieties of koi. Below are just a few. You can find lots more information about koi at http://www.koiid.com/cd
Asagi |
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Ki Bekko |
Doitsu Hariwake |
Kujaku |
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Kigoi |
Kin Ki Utsuri |
Sanke |
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Gin Rin Kohaku |
Kohaku |
Kujaku |
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Sanke |
Showa |
Tancho |
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Shiro Utsuri |
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