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Koi Dictionary

 

Breeder Ref:  NFK00

Breeder Ref:  NFK00

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A

Ai. Indigo Blue.

-goromo Sub-variety of the Koromo with blue edging to its scales.

 

Aka. Red. It often precedes other terms

-Bekko Sub-variety of the Bekko which has a red body carrying black patches.

-hajiro Sub-variety of the Kohaku which has red pectoral fins tipped with white.

-matsuba Sub-variety of the Kawarimono in which the Matsuba pattern is seen on an all red Koi

-muji Sub-variety of the Kohaku in which the whole body is red.

-Sanke Sub-variety of the Taisho in which the Hi colour extends from head to tail without a break

 

Akabo. Red.

 

Akami. Eye with red iris.

Akebi. Light Blue

Aragoi. Jumbled scales -applied to Doitsu mirror scales, an alternative to Yoroi.

Asagi. A basic variety in which the scales are blue in an all over reticulated manner; the edges are light blue or white.

-Sanke Sub-variety of the Asagi with red on the head and upper abdomen

Ato-sumi. Late black. It refers to black areas that develop as the Koi matures and which did not show in the young Koi

B

Bekko.    A basic variety in which red, white, or yellow bodies are patched with black (sumi). Doitsu scales may also be seen as a sub-variety

Beni. A dark red. Darker than Aka, of which it is a shade.

Beta-gin. A scale type of the Kinginrin in which the whole scale surface glitters.

-Showa A sub-variety of the Showa Sanke.

Bongiri. Applied to a Koi that has no red in the tail region - a fault in the Kohaku, which should have red in the peduncle (though not in the tail itself).

Bozu. A priest - applied to a Kohaku that has no Hi (red) on its head. A fault.

Budo Grape. A cluster of scales that are likened to bunches of grapes

-Sanke A sub-variety of the Koromo

Bunka A Sanke (Sanshoku) in which the pectoral fins are shiny or metallic.

C

Chagoi.  A sub-variety of the Kawarimono. Cha means brown or yellow-brown (saffron)

D

Dagara.   A stepped pattern as seen on Kohaku in which the areas of red are likened to stepping stones.

Daiya Diamond Ginrin. A scale type of the Kinginrin which was developed in Hiroshima and is often referred to under this latter name.

Danmoyo. This means stepped pattern and is applied to the Kohaku and is likened to stepping stones in a pond - it is the alternative word to Dagara.

Doitsu. A variety derived from the German mirror carp. It may be mirror scaled or leather or a combination of both types. Mirror scales scattered at random on the body are a decided fault.

-Aka Sanke A sub-variety of the Taisho in which mirror scales are found on the Taisho, with a Hi that extends from head to tail.

-Hariwake

-Kohaku A sub-variety of the Kohaku with Doitsu scale.

-Ogon A sub-variety of the Ogon

-Sanke A sub-variety of the Sanke.

-Showa A sub-variety of the Showa Sanke.

Dorogoi. This means mud black Koi and refers to the various forms of the Magoi or wild carp of Japan, of which this is one.

E

Echigo.  This is a collective name sometimes applied to the three scale types, other than Daiya, which are found in the Kinginrin variety.

Enyu Doitsu.  Scales with a platinum colour. It is a cross between the Shusui and the Medori (green) varieties. A variable Koi in its colours which tend to fade with maturity.

Era-Aka.  An early form of Kohaku in which the gill covers were red.

Etsu No Hisoku.  A variety of the Medorigoi of the Kawarimono. It was first bred in 1965 and the name combines an old Chinese state and green chinaware.

F

Fuji. When a Koi has a beautiful sparkling silver patch on its head or, more rarely, on its pectoral fins, it is likened to snow on the top of mount Fujiyama. It is extremely striking but at present it is not a stable condition and disappears after 2-3 years.

-Kohaku A sub-variety of the Kohaku with Fuji markings.

-Sanke A sub-variety of the Taisho with Fuji markings.

G

Gin. Metallic silver it is seen in many varieties.

-bo A sub-variety of the Ogon that has no value; they exhibit silver in parts of their scales against a black base colour.

-Matsuba A sub-variety of Ogon in which the reticulate pattern lies over a platinum body colour.

-Kabuto A sub-variety of the Ogon in which the head has silver scales that are likened to a helmet or cap. The body is variable, speckled with silver scales; base colour is black

-Shiro A sub-variety of the Hikari Utsuri in which the Showa Sanke carries a platinum or silvery metallic sheen to its scales.

-sui A sub-variety of the Hikarimoyo in which the Shusui has a less golden appearance to the Hi marking than in the Kinsui. It is thus not, a platinum or silver shade as such.

-rin Platinum or silvery sheen to the scales.

 

Goior. Wild carp, an old name for Koi.

 

Goke. A scale of a fish.

Goshiki. This is five coloured Koi. They are very variable, some being extremely dark in colour, others being visually lighter and invariably better looking as the colours are more apparent. It is a sub-variety of the Kawarimono.

-Shusui This is a sub-variety of the Kawarimono.

Gotensakura Castle Cherry Blossom. It is a sub-variety of the Kohaku which has a dappled pattern in clusters evenly spread on both sides of the body.

H

Hachibi.  Red head.

Hageshiro. A sub-variety of the Kawarimono in which the Koi is black, but with white tips to the pectoral fins and a white patch on the head.

Hagoromo. Ha is angel's wings and in this variation it refers to the pectoral fins of a Koromo of the Aigoromo type

Hajiro. This is a sub-variety of the Kawarimono in which the black Koi has white tips to its pectoral fins.

Hakushu. Green lateral scales on a platinum body. A hybrid of Midorigoi and platinum Ogon.

Hana. Flower - round red markings between the dorsal and lateral lines.

-ko Flower maiden - a pet name for Koi in Japan.

-Shusui A sub-variety of the Shusui in which there is red between the dorsal blue colour and the lateral line.

Hanatsuki. A sub-variety of the Kohaku in which the head Hi patch extends to the tip of the mouth.

Haramaki. A colour which forms a band rather like a belt over the dorsal surface - used as a descriptive term in unique Koi.

Hariwake. A two coloured Koi with metallic sheen and one of the colours is platinum. A member of the Hikarimoyo group.

-Doitsu A sub-variety of the Hikarimoyo with mirror scales.

-Matsuba A sub-variety of the Hikarimoyo with the reticulated Matsuba pattern spread over the dorsal area of the body.

Hatsuhi. The first rising sun of the New Year - a pinkish white; descriptive term used in unique Koi.

Hi. Red. The term precedes a number of sub-varieties and unique Koi.

-aka A dark form of Akamuji which is the all-red Koi of the Kohaku. It means the same as Beni.

-Botan Scarlet Peony. A term used on unique Koi which have a large Sumi patch on a red body.

-goi An all red Koi same as Akamuji and used as general term.

-Ogon A sub-variety of the Ogon which is rarely seen - it is the same as an Orange Ogon.

-Showa A sub-variety of the Showa Sanke in which the red runs from the head to the tail without a break. It is the Showa equivalent to the Aka Sanke of the Taisho or the straight Hi of the Kohaku.

-Shusui A sub-variety of the Shusui in which the red should cover the whole dorsal surface.

-Utsuri A sub-variety of the Utsuri in which the body is black and it carries numerous red (Hi) patches.

Hikarimoyo. A basic variety which features metallic scales and a scale pattern. Hybrids of the Ogon.

Hakari Utsuri. A basic variety which are hybrids of the Ogon and Utsuri lines.

Hinomaru. A red disc - as in the national flag of Japan and as featured in the Tancho variety.

Hiroshima Gin. A scale type of the Kinginrin which sparkles like a diamond. Also called Daiya.

Hisoku. a yellow green colour of the Midorigoi of the Kawarimono.

Hoo-Aka. Red Cheeks. This was the term used to describe very early forms of basically white Koi with just small red patches. An alternative term was Era-Aka meaning red gills.

Hoo-Kazuki. Red Cheeks. This term was used on the very first mutational wild carp that carried red on their body, i.e., on their cheeks. Those which had red abdomens were called Hara-Aka.

Hotsujiro. Four white areas on a Koi.

I

Inazuma. Lightening or a zigzag pattern. Especially in relation to the sub-variety of Kohaku which displays this pattern variation of the Straight Hi.

Ippon-Hi. A continuous pattern from head to tail. In Kohaku this has little value.

Iro Colour.

-age Bringing out the colour. Often used in respect of feeding but correctly refers to all aspects of husbandry.

-goi Former name for coloured carp or Koi that is rarely used.

Ishigaki. Stonewall effect as seen in Doitsu varieties where the scales are scattered on the body in a random manner - a fault. See Aragoi and Yoroi.

Ishugrudel. This refers to the body shape of the Koi and here it is of the old German carp type - deep. It has regained some popularity in recent years but is still not greatly favoured.

J

Jiro. White.

 

Juji. A cross like marking on the head of a Koi made by one of the colours, normally sumi.

K

Kabuto. A cap or helmet; seen on inferior Koi. See Ogon.

Kado. Gin a scale variety of the Kinginrin where the highly reflective surface is restricted to the edge of the scale.

Kagamigoi. Mirror scales of the Doitsu family.

Kage. A shadow or phantom - a hazy pattern

-Utsuri A sub-variety of the Kawarimono in which the Utsuri Koi have a hazy pattern.

-Showa A sub-variety of the Kawarimono in which the Showa has a hazy pattern.

Kagami. Mirror scales to the dorsal and lateral surfaces of a Koi of the Doitsu type.

Kanoku. A dappled effect of red spots on a white background; likened to the spotting of deer.

-Kohaku A sub-variety of the Kawarimono.

-Sanke A sub-variety of the Kawarimono - the Taisho.

-Showa A sub-variety of the Kawarimono.

Karasu Black.

-goi A sub-variety of the Kawarimono developed from the original wild carp or from the Asagi lineage.

 

Kasane. A sumi (black) marking or patch on a red (Hi) background; the term is used in relation to Taisho Sanke.

Kasu Gin Sake-dregs. to describe the Sudare scales of the Kinginrin. Another, but derisive, term for the worst of the Kado type scales.

Kata Moyo. One-sided pattern. Seen on Kohaku where the Hi markings run down one side of the dorsal line, or mostly so.

Katasumi. One large shoulder patch of black. Well liked in Taisho.

Kawagoi.The scaleless or leather Koi of the Doitsu type, but which retains mirror scales near the dorsal fin.

Kawarimono. A basic variety or group of Koi from various other lines but which are not placed in their group for various reasons. A miscellaneous group of Koi and also the group in which unique Koi are exhibited.

Ki. Yellow.

-goi A yellow Koi.

-Bekko A sub-variety of the Bekko which has a yellow body patched with black.

-Shusui A sub-variety of the Shusui in which the base colour is yellow instead of red. The back is usually blue.

-Utsuri A sub-variety of the Utsuri. Yellow patches on a black basic colour.

Kikusui. A sub-variety of the Hikarimoyo. It is a Hariwake Doitsu with either yellow or orange patterns on a platinum base. It is of the leather type.

Kimon. Three yellow patches.

Kin. Golden metallic sheen.

-bo A black Koi which has random golden scales scattered about its body. Considered worthless. See Ginbo.

-dai A sub-variety of the Showa Sanke which has a large amount of white on its body.

-Ginrin A basic variety of Koi which can include any Koi which features a golden silvery high metallic sheen to its scales. Even Ogons and Hikaromoyo can be Kinginrin.

-Kabuto Golden helmet. A sub-variety of the Ogon. It is not highly valued. See Gin Kabuto.

-Ki Utsuri A sub-variety of the Hikari Utsuri basic variety with a golden sheen to the yellow and black scales.

-Matsuba A sub-variety of the Ogon in which the Ogon is covered by the Matsuba pattern. See also Gin Matsuba

-porai A brownish gold Matsuba Ogon.

-Shiro Is applied to the Gin Shiro of the Hikari Utsuri - a metallic silvery sheen on the white areas.

-Showa A sub-variety of the Hikari Utsuri in which the Showa Sanke has a golden hue to it.

-shu An orange Koi with a green-blue dorsa area - a unique Koi of the Midori type in the Kawarimono variety.

-sui A sub-variety of the Hikarimoyo in which the Shusui has a golden metallic shine to it. It tends to fade with age.

-tobi Means the same as Bunka - shining pectoral fins.

-zakura Golden cherry blossom. A sub-variety of the Kohaku in which dappled (konako) scales have a golden edge.

Kobesuki. A thin covering of a colour, as the red in Kohaku, which allows the outline pattern of the scale to show through. In the Kohaku this is a fault.

Kohaku. The oldest basic variety of Koi. A red and white Koi.

Koi. Carp

Komoyo. Small red markings or patches.

Konjo. A dark blue as seen in the Asagi basic variety.

Koromo. Means robed and is applied to a basic variety which comprises of hybrids of the Asagi and other basic varieties.

-Sanke A sub-variety of the Koromo which is a hybrid of the Aigoromo and the Taisho Sanke.

-Showa A sub-variety of the Koromo which is a hybrid of the Aigoromo and the Showa Sanke.

Koshiki. Also Koshinishiki. A hybrid of Taisho Sanke and Ogon.

Kuchibeni. Red lips. A sub variety of the Kohaku and also of the Taisho Sanke. Any Koi with the Hi (red) extending onto the lips.

Kujaku. A hybrid of the Goshiki and the Ogon.

-Ogon A sub-variety of the Hikarimoyo.

-Dotsu A sub-variety of the Hikarimoyo.

Kumonryu. Like a rising dragon. A sub-variety of the Kawarimono in which a Karasu (black) Koi has a white pattern.

Kuro. A black (Sumi) patch on the head rather like that of the Tancho. Rarely it may appear on the back.

L

Empty

M

Ma. Wild as Magoi - wild type Koi.

Madoaki. A few sales appear in relief. - a fault.

Makibara. Red wrapped around the stomach; applied to Kohaku.

Maki-ga-fukai. Deep wrapping. Same as Makibara.

-ga-okii Large wrapping of red around abdomen. Formally disliked but now popular.

Maru. Round.

Maruten A red spot on the head which is divided into two by a sumi mark. Seen in unique Koi of the Kawarimono.

Matsuba. A reticulated pattern in which the centre of the scale is darker than the edges thus forming a pattern. A sub-variety of the Kawarimono and a pattern featured in many Koi.

Matsukawabakke. A sub-variety of the Kawarimono in which the colours change place - black and white.

Meija. The period 1868-1912 that preceded the Taisho era.

Menkaburi. Red mask. A sub-variety of the Kohaku in which much of the head is additionally called Aka-te - dishwasher's hands. Neither is desirable in good Kohaku.

Menware. A black mark roughly in the shape of a Y that appears in a Showa Sanke.

Midorigoi. Yellowish-green or green. A sub-variety of the Kawarimono.

Mizhu. Ogon An orange Ogon with black Doitsu scales. A sub-variety of the Ogon.

Mizu. Light blue.

-Asaki The lightest colour blue of Asagi. Sub-variety of Asagi; it means the same as ebi.

Momiji. Ogon Autumn leaves: red, purple and white colours seen on unique Koi.

Mono. One. Not the number but as in metallic ones or Utsuri ones or Utsuri (Utsurimono) types.

Monyo. Figured or shaped.

Motogura. Having a black colour to the base of the fins as apposed to a striped effect, e.g.; Utsuri, Showa Sanke, Hajiro.

Moyo. Pattern as in Hikarimoyo - metallic pattern.

Muji. Plain or of one colour only; a self colour.

Muraski. Purple, a term used in unique Koi and in Goshiki (five coloured Koi).

N

Napoleon. A sub-variety of the Kohaku.

 

Narumi. A mid-blue colour named from the town in Japan where a cloth of this colour is produced. A sub-variety of the Asagi.

Nezu. Grey or mouse colour.

Nezumi. means mouse or grey. A sub-variety of the Ogon.

Niban. Subsidiary. Applied to a Hi spot or mark on the abdomen of the Kohaku.

Nidan. Hi A two step pattern in Red.

-Kohaku A sub-variety of the Kohaku with a two step pattern.

-Moyo Two step pattern.

Nishikigoi. A coloured cloth or silk exported from India to China and Japan. The term is used in Japan for the coloured Carp.

O

Ochiba-shigure. This is a member of the Chagoi line of the Kawarimono and is a greenish and grey Koi.

Odome. Tail stop. The last colour line before the tail.

Ogon. Also Ohgon; golden Metallic. A basic variety.

Ohaku. A white and yellow Koi of the Kigoi group, Kawarimono.

Ojime. The last Hi patch on the Kohaku.

Omoyo. A large Hi patch on a Kohaku. Well liked in this variety.

Orange Ogon. A sub variety of the Ogon. Same as Hi Ogon. Quite rare.

-Doitsu A sub-variety of the Ogon, which has Doitsu mirror scales

-Hariwake A sub-variety of the Hikarimoyo which is Orange and Platinum

Ohaku. A white and yellow Koi of the Kigoi group, Kawarimono.

Orenji. Orange

P

Pearl Shusui. A sub variety of the Shusui that has pearly scales of the Ginrin on its dorsal surface.

 

Platinum. Metallic white.

-Doitsu A sub-variety of the Ogon that has Doitsu mirror scales

-Ogon A sub-variety of the Hikarimoyo in which the scales have a silvery sheen to them.

Purachina. The whitest of platinum colour seen in Ogons.

Q

 Empty

R

Raigo. Sunrise viewed from a mountain top. The term is applied to a Shusui hybrid of the Midorigoi. Such Koi are very rare and variable in their colours.

Rin. A scale, as in Kinrin-golden scales

S

Sakurakana. Cherry blossom pattern.

 

San. Three

 

Sandan. A three step pattern, likened to stepping stones.

-Kohaku A sub-variety of the Kohaku with the steps in red.

Sanke. Three coloured Koi. This is the old name but is often retained in Japan for use on its own when it refers to the Taisho Sanke.

Sanshouku. A three coloured Koi- the modern term used for Taisho and Showa Koi.

Sarasa. Some red on the dorsal surface.

Sejiro. A white back; for example on a Karusu Koi.

Shinshu. A body shape which exhibits an over-pronounced head curve. Not liked in Koi.

-Shinsui A hybrid of Taisho Sanke and Shusui, sub-variety of the Kawarimono.

Shiro. White.

-bekko A sub variety of the Bekko with a white body on which are black patches.

-Matsuba A sub-variety of the Kawarimono which is white with a black Matsuba pattern on it.

-muji A sub-variety of the Kohaku. A plain white fish. Any all-white Koi is a Shiro-muji.

-Ogon A sub-variety of the Ogon which is all white but with a metallic sheen to it.

-Utsuri A sub-variety of the Utsuri which has a white base colour on which are black patches.

Sho-Chiku-Bai. A sub-variety of the Hikarimoyo. It is the metallic Aigoromo or Koromo. It means pine bamboo plum.

Shoku. Coloured -as in Sanshoku, three coloured.

Showa. A basic variety of three coloured Koi - red, black and white. The present era in Koi, which commenced in 1927.

-shusui A sub-variety of the Kawarimono which combines the Showa Sanke pattern with that of the Doitsu scalation.

Shu. Red

Shusui. A basic variety in which the Koi has Doitsu scales in blue and has variable amounts of red on its body, in combination with white.

-bire A shusui Koi with red pectoral fins.

Straight Hi. A sub-variety of the Kohaku in which the red extends from the head to the tail without a break. See also Ippon Hi.

Sudare. Bamboo blinds; refers to the highly metallic scales of the Kinginrin. See also Kasu.

Sui. Blue.

Sumi. Black in patches, stripes or other marks.

-goromo A sub-variety of the Koromo in which Sumi appears on the Hi of Kohaku in the form of dappled-type clusters.

-nagashi A sub-variety of the Kawarimono in which the Asaki Pattern carries much Sumi. It could also be called Suminagashi

-Ki-Han The original name for the Ki Utsuri, meaning black and yellow.

Sumi-e An ink painting in black. Used in unique Koi.

T

Taisho. A basic variety of three coloured Koi. It is also the name of an era, 1912-1926, that preceded the present one. although it shares the same colours as the Showa, red, black and white, it should not be confused with this more recent Koi.

Taki Asagi. A sub-variety of the Asagi in which a streak of white is seen between the red abdomen and the blue dorsal surface.

Tama Gin. A scale type of the Kinginrin in which the reflective deposit is found in the centre of the scale and is raised so as to give the scale a pearly look. It is sometimes called pearl Ginrin.

Tancho. A basic variety of Koi in which the only red found on the body is in the form of a circle or squareish patch on the head.

-Kohaku A sub variety of the Tancho which has a round spot in red on the head and an all white body. It is a Kohaku in its lineage.

-Sanke A sub-variety of the Tancho with a red head spot.

-Showa A sub-variety of the Tancho with a red head spot.

Tetsu Magoi. Iron Black as applied to wild type carp.

Tora Ogon. A sub-variety of the Hikarimoyo. It is the Ki Bekko which has metallic lustre to its scales.

Tsuba Gin. Pearly scales of the Kinginrin. It is the same as Tama Gin.

Tsubaki Sanke. A sub-variety of the Taisho in which the red body colour extends the full length of the Koi and is patched with black. It is exhibited as a Kawarimono.

Tsubo Sumi. A black patch on the white areas of a Taisho Sanke. These are preferred to black on red. (Kasane)

U

Ura. Reversed. In the Kanoku of Kawarimono for example, the centre of the scale is red thus giving the dappled effect. If this were reversed then the edge of the scale would be red and the centre white - Ura.

Utsuri. A basic variety. It is a member of the Showa lineage so the basic colour is black on which either red, yellow or white patches are found.

-Doitsu A sub-variety of the Utsuri which carries Doitsu scales.

V

 Empty

W

Wagoi.  A normal fully scaled Japanese Carp.

X

EMPTY

Y

Yamabuki. A sub-variety of the Ogon. It is a metallic yellow named after the Japonica plant's colour.

-Hariwake A sub-variety of the Hikarimoyo which is platinum and yellow in colour.

Yamatonishiki. A sub-variety of the Hikarimoyo in which the Taisho exhibits a beautiful, platinum, metallic sheen.

Yogyoen. A fish farm, a Koi farm.

Yondan. A sub-variety of the Kohaku which features the four step pattern of red on white.

Yoroi. Armoured Koi. It refers to randomly placed mirror scales of the Doitsu type. Such Koi have little value. See also Aragoi which means the same.

Yotsushiro. A sub-variety of the Kawarimono in which the black Koi has white pectoral fins, a white dorsal fin and a white patch on the head.

Yuki. A patch of snow. a descriptive term used in unique Koi.

Z

Zarasa. See Sarasa.

Zobonhaki Trousers. This term is applied to a Kohaku in which the Hi pattern extends down to the tail and around the peduncle, or largely so. It is not favoured in quality Koi.

Zuiun. A hybrid of Midorigoi (green) and Shusui. These are very rare and regarded as unique Koi.

Zukinkaburi. Red on the forehead. One of the earliest forms of Kohaku Koi

Breeder Ref:  NFK00

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Breeder Ref:  NFK00

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