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Written by Gene Jimenez
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Tuesday, 10 March 2009 00:00 |
 At the risk of sounding moronic and getting the nishikigoi beat down from the pros, I am just going to write on here until Michael Cox yells at me. So, I'd like to share a few recent koi experiences with you. The first of which was Laguna Koi Ponds 20th Anniversary open house. Ben Plonski (who you can see featured in the KOI NATIONS Magazine show first episodes), has been a major contributor to the hobby for more than 20 years now in his icon of a store located in the famous Laguna Canyon.
I have been to Laguna Koi plenty since first entering the hobby a few years ago. I always thought it a great place to buy healthy fish, plants and get whatever equipment I could imagine. I also had been introduced and got to work with Ben during KOI NATIONS Magazine filming, so I was excited to just go and really say thanks to Ben and the crew.
As a special guest, Mr. Norihiro Nagata was on hand to support and educate customers on the art and hobby of koi. Nagata San was most generous and rather excited the entire day. I later found out that Nagata San is actually a long time friend and Japan traveling guide to Ben on trips to Niigata, Japan for koi purchasing. Nagata San and the entire crew work seamlessly together to serve their customers, which was quite nice service. During the day, Ben and Nagata San did a couple of presentations on selecting koi, health issues and the art of various breeds, like showa and sanke.
I was going to film for some footage for KOI NATIONS, but upon arriving, I just decided to shoot some stills and enjoy the activities. In hearing Ben and Nagata San talking about showas, I started looking around at some of the koi from Marudo and Miyatora. I saw some very nice ones in the 'big' pen. But there was one in the first pen that had caught my eye early on.
Ben was gracious enough to pull her up for me and one look up close, I knew I would be taking her home. I am committed to getting girls into my ponds, so Nagata San confirmed the sex and I told Ben I would take her (although, I still do have my eyes on those two beauties in the 'big' pen Ben!). It wasn't even noon and I was on my way home with a gorgeous 2yo showa from Miyatora (at least I think she is gorgeous). She fit right in to my 1750 gallon rectangle.
A year ago, I would have gotten one of the big beauties that I mentioned. My experience with KOI NATIONS and overstocking has led me to make wiser decisions about the number and size of koi go in my pond. I have several now, with room for them to grow this Spring/Summer. And, it sets me up to start thinking about expanding while I get to enjoy them growing.
Thanks Laguna Koi for a fun day and a great showa!
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Written by Michael D. Cox
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Friday, 30 January 2009 00:00 |
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40th All Japan Nishikigoi Show 
Today was pretty exciting stuff. All the judging is done know and the Grand Champion has been announced! A 92cm Showa bred by Yamatoya and is owned by Fujiki-san. An absolutely stunning Showa worthy of GC for sure. There are loads of Koi at every turn. I am glad to see such participation in these troubled times. Everyone is wearing their best smile. The Koi are incredible! I will post more pictures tonight when I get them all downloaded from the camera. Shawn from Mystic Koi and Russ from PSKoi are both here judging. I will get more commentary from them in the morning for you. For now just drool over this pic... |
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Written by Michael D. Cox
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Saturday, 01 November 2008 00:00 |
 Purdin Koi Farm had their first public pond pull today. All you can really say is WOW! First thing this morning we got off to a late start but that's OK Maureen made everyone bacon, eggs, grits and pancakes for breakfast. I like to eat!There is/was roughly 250 Nishikigoi that needed to come out of their number 1 mud pond. So we got started shortly after breakfast. The first load of Koi was very nice but I knew there was better in there. It never fails, it seems like the last two loads out of a mud pond always yield the best Koi. I guess they know where to hide and avoid capture. However, I did get to see two old friends that were put in the mud just about four months ago. At that time I was given second choice after Scott selected the ones he wanted. What a treat huh? I narrowed it down to two and I selected the smaller of the two. We photographed them and put them in the mud pond. Today as I said they both came out in the first pull. I could not believe the growth on these Koi. There are Koi coming out of there at around 15in. Remember these are only 6-7 month old Tosai. You will get to see these two Showa in an up coming article that I will be doing for KOI Nations. We will follow the Koi and their development for the next year and we'll learn together by watching them. |
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Written by Jasper Kuijper
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Friday, 31 October 2008 00:00 |
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 Today we had to go out of our beds early to be on time for the 4 years koi harvest high in the mountains. Several of my friends where very nervous because they had the change to help and catch some big koi between 74 to 83 cm. You maybe think that this would be a very easy job but the truth is quite different. First of all it was quite cold up there and the water was around 10 degree. It was for my friends not so easy to catch the koi and get them in a big blue bowl. The men in charge of the japanese staff was looking several times with closed eyes and where nervous too. But more important we had them save in the water tanks on the truck. The excitement was very high for my friends and they where surprised about the strength of the koi. But the S.F.F. farm staff had a second big mud pond to do. Here we where getting some lessons how you should do this.
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Written by Jasper Kuijper
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Thursday, 30 October 2008 00:00 |
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 Yesterday we have taken the bullet train from Nagaoke to Hiroshima. This was a very long journey that have taken 6,5 hours in the train. Halfway we have stepped out in Kyoto to see the Ninjo castle that have a beautiful pond. So when we have arrived Hiroshima we have taken a bus to Hirsohima Airport hotel where had dinner with Danny and Mie from Danny's Koi Cafe. The first subject was from my friend that had a koi by Sakai for two years and he was very nervous how his lady would look like. I can tell you now he had a restless night. But today we have seen his stunning 75 cm Kohaku and was in preparation for the coming ZNA show.
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